Pub?s closure news to owner

The closure of an iconic Wairarapa tavern has shocked the owner after hearing about it from a Castlepoint local.
Mike Walshe has owned the Marine Hotel Whakataki, commonly known as the Whakataki, for the past seven years and has leased the premises for the past 18 months.
"It was a shock to hear about it when someone rung on the weekend and told us that the pub was closed."
Mr Walshe said he ran the tavern for the first five years before leasing it to the current tenants, Carla Zonfrillo and Craig Harrison, under the title of Whakataki experience.
"Until my solicitors speak with Carla and her partner we don't know what is happening. At the moment it is being looked into whether the lease has been breached by the tenants."
The Whakataki first opened in 1904 and "has been operating as a successful business ever since then, so I'm really not sure what has happened", he said.
Castlepoint resident Judy Heaps said the Whakataki has been the "area's watering hole since before the Second World War".
"If it doesn't reopen it will just be yet another amenity lost."
The closure of the tavern is sad and "that circumstances have forced it to close", she said.
Castlepoint Store and The Berley Pot Restaurant and Bar owner Devon Oakly said the Whakataki was shut by the lessee on Wednesday and has not opened since.
"Castlepoint locals won't be getting desperate for a drink because the Berley Pot is open from Friday to Monday and we're also going to open on Wednesday night because the locals asked us to."
The Berley Pot accommodated over 20 guests on Saturday night who had arranged to have a meal at the Whakatiki before its closure, he said.
"They rung me on Saturday morning and asked if we could cater for them which worked out really well."
Mataikona local Helen Roberts said the pub would be missed as long as it remains closed.
"For the past few years I have taken my family there at Christmas time to have a roast dinner as a nice change from a barbecue. It's a great meeting place and a lot of people will be sad to see it closed."
Phyllis Meikle, of Castlepoint, said as far as the town is aware the Whakatiki will reopen.
The Times-Age contacted one of the lessees, Craig Harrison, who declined to comment.
The other lessee, Carla Zonfrillo, could not be contacted.