English: The original Patanga Hotel and Store was built by Thomas Reynolds near the Tukituki River, west of the present hotel. The river was an important route in the 1850s and local farmers like Fred Tiffen used it to send wool to Ahuriri. Business fell off sharply when the Te Aute Road opened and in 1861 Reynolds moved the hotel 30 km north. The building was shifted in sections by bullock-wagon to Havelock North where it was reopened as 'The Exchange'.

"It was a two-storeyed wooden building, and contained about twenty well-furnished rooms. On the ground floor there was a large commercial room, several cosy sitting rooms, a commodious dining room, and a convenient bar; and there were twelve comfortable bedrooms on the first floor. The best of liquors were kept, and an excellent table was maintained. The hotel was widely known as a holiday resort." nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-...

This photo was taken looking west from Te Mata Road. The Exchange Hotel, on the right, stands on the corner of Te Aute Road, inclined to the right, and Havelock Road, hard right to Hastings and Napier. Middle and Joll roads off to the left. The woman crossing the intersection is where the current roundabout is located and the small building behind her is presently a toilet block. The war memorial is in the same location.

Photograph taken by Sydney Charles Smith during the 1930s.

National Library Reference Number: 1/2-048876-G

mp.natlib.govt.nz/detail/?id=3442&l=en