Help the Mangamāhū Hotel Survive Another Winter

The Mangamāhū Hotel has stood in the Whangaehu Valley for more than a century. The current corrugated iron roof dates from the rebuilding of the hotel after the 1914 fire and has never been fully replaced.

After more than 110 years of exposure, the roof is now at the end of its life. Each winter brings further water ingress, accelerating timber decay and preventing essential conservation work from progressing. The building cannot withstand many more seasons in this condition.

Independent assessments and builder’s quotes indicate that replacing the roof will cost over $75,000. This work is beyond what the current owners, Mere Keating and Peter Reynolds, can fund on a fixed income.

Replacing the roof is the single most urgent step in securing the future of the building. Without a sound roof, other necessary repairs, including the replacement of rotting timbers, cannot be carried out. A new roof will allow this historic building to be stabilised and maintained as part of the Mangamāhū community.

We are seeking to raise $80,000 through Givealittle to fund the roof replacement. Any funds raised beyond this target will be directed toward other urgent maintenance needs, including plumbing, lighting and fire protection.

All proceeds from the sale of books and memorabilia associated with the Mangamāhū Hotel also go directly toward this work.

Winter is approaching and time matters. Any contribution, large or small, helps ensure the Mangamāhū Hotel can withstand the coming seasons and continue as a lived-in heritage building rather than a lost one.