The Church Restaurant
From the Methodist Church in Taumarunui, to the Church Restaurant in Hahei today, this building has had a more than interesting journey. Completed on the 10th of December, 1916 under the leadership of Rev E.E. Sage, the church successfully serviced the needs of the Methodist population in Taumarunui until its closure. The Church was sold to a local Hahei couple and was dismantled and stored for three years until it was transported and rebuilt. In reconstruction, as much of the original material that was sound was able to be reused, such as trusses, rafters, floor, doors and windows. The original weather boards were recycled as skirting boards in the accommodation cottages and the building was re-clad with treated pine, milled off a block of land in Hahei. The final result, completed in 1998 is what you see here today – a unique and a character filled venue for public dining and an excellent venue for weddings or special occasions. Now owned and operated by Julia Broughton and Lauren Hailes, originally from Dunedin.
