About Us

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The Bushmere Arms is the remnants of one of Gisborne's earliest licensed houses the Waerenga-a-Hika pub, built in 1873.

Robin Pierson has been proprietor of the Bushmere Arms for over 20 years and over that time has painstakingly restored the late 1800s building to its former glory. Remarkable rimu panelling complement an eclectic collection of ornamental fittings, tokens of a bygone era.

A recent addition is the extraordinary Conservatory to the rear of the building. Floor to ceiling windows, polished rimu and an art deco inspired stained glass dome, make it a truly breath-taking space and an amazing event or wedding facility.

Robin has been creating gorgeous meals and exquisite events for his patrons and clients for many years and is well known for his generous meals and for providing a cozy atmosphere for guests.

Robin has been hosting the Classic Bushmere Arms Giant Pumpkin competition at the Bushmere Arms for 12 years and has encouraged many growers and enthusiasts alike to grow pumpkins for the competition.  Last year the record was 180kgs, but there has been non-entries present at the competition of over 400kgs.  Last year the competition raised over $11,000 for Hospice Tairawhiti.

 

  •  
    • Nick Jacobs Web Design
    • Melissa Wilton, photography
    • Gray Clapham, photography 
    • Brennan Thomas of "Real Photographics" 
    • Emma & David Barker, Mandy Thorpe & Len Paki for their lovely wedding photos
    • Sheridan Gundry, North and South article
  • North & South magazine July 2007

    "We venture out to eat with some trepidation these days. Too often we're disappointed by what restaurateurs offer up at top dollar when we enjoy excellent fare at home, much of it home-grown or freshly caught.

    But dining out on Friday night after a big work week does have a special appeal: a chance to dress up and get out of our culinary comfort zone. In buoyant mood and with balmy temperatures belying our proximity to mid-winter, we head for Bushmere Arms, 10 minutes from Gisborne city on rolling farmland.

    On entering the century-old weatherboard hotel - a once rundown pub lovingly restored by chef-cum-proprietor Robin Pierson - we're immediately at ease. There's a crackling wood fire in the grate and a friendly but not unctuous greeting from bar staff. The Arms still has a homeliness, redolent of its country pub days, but Pierson has dressed up the old girl; he's polished the fine rimu panelling and added stain-glass lampshades, a grand piano and a mix of New Zealand landscape paintings . . ."

     

     

    Our thanks

    We would like to thank the following people for their kind assistance with our website: