Miki and John Sedcole are getting to grips with life behind the bar. Photo: RNZ/Jimmy Ellingham
When Cyclone Gabrielle beat its destructive path down the North Island's east cost, the tiny coastal village of Herbertville wasn't spared.
Remote and isolated anyway - east of Palmerston North, it's about an hour's drive to Dannevirke - the February 2023 tempest destroyed the road in and out and flooded the pub, the Herbertville Inn.
Water and silt tore through when the bridge over the Wainui River at the village entrance turned into a dam.
For the first time since the 1880s, Herbertville was without a tavern.
The roads are pretty well repaired but the pub has remained shut - until now.
After much work, its doors reopen on Saturday, with husband and wife, John and Miki Sedcole, taking on the lease.
"It's mostly farmers around here. Farmers like to talk about farming with each other. On the side of the road doesn't really tick that box, but to be able to sit down and have a beer and a talk - they really enjoy that," John said.
Locals had already had a chance to sneak a peak, getting invitations for the Sedcoles' practice runs behind the bar this week.
New to hospitality, they'll whip classic bar food and Miki might even add Japanese dishes.
They've hired a bar manager to train them for six months.
Not many people live in the village itself, but John said there was a steady steam of visitors for fishing and to visit the world's longest place name up the road, Tumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu.
"It's a coastal village. There's only about 30 permanent residents out here, including the farmers in the immediate area. It's just a quiet little village with a pub, and a lady down the road who has a coffee and real ice-cream shop. That's us, really - country folk enjoying the sea side."
A sign welcomes visitors to the sea side village of Herbertville. Photo: RNZ/Jimmy Ellingham
After a recent sale the pub has 10 shareholders, who started repair work earlier this year.
"They've been working some long hours. Two shareholders did most of the work. One of the shareholders brought one of his workers up and between the three of them they put down the whole new floor, right through the whole bar, dining area, in a week," John said.
He has run the motor camp over the road for more than three years and while he waits for his replacement there he's busy at both businesses.
He's also Cape Turnagain Golf Club captain, and a round there led to his move.
"We were ready to leave the motor camp. I was playing golf with one of the shareholders who owned the inn and I said, 'We're looking at jobs and will probably move on.' He said, 'Why don't you move across the road?' That's how it started and here we are."
Although the Herbertville Inn will open every day next week, its normal trading hours are Wednesday to Sunday, allowing John a day or two off for his sporting passion.
And the local nine-hole course has sweeping coastal views, complete with sheep and electric fences, although the wind can pick up.
Just after Cyclone Gabrielle struck one of the pub's previous owners, Ian Smith, showed RNZ around the water-logged, silt-filled building.
Fridges and freezers had floated down the back hallways, and silt seeped into the walls.
It couldn't look more different now.
The bar and kitchen have scrubbed up well and the pool table and dart boards are ready for use, under the watchful eye of pictures of the town's founders on the wall.
There's a "ladies' snug", outdoor area with children's toys, and a convenience and craft store.
The rear of the section still needs work, and the inn will no longer provide accommodation. Instead, the Sedcoles will live out the back.
The Herbertville Inn is repaired and will reopen on Saturday. Photo: RNZ/Jimmy Ellingham
John said he and Miki were on a steep learning curve, but it would be worth it.
"I think it's just having people come in and enjoy themselves and someone to talk to, watching the rugby on a Friday and Saturday night and afternoon, and getting a few people together to enjoy that sort of thing.
"Sitting at home they sort of lose that."
He expected their two cats to keep crossing the road back to their old home, although their two bichon-cross dogs might not wander so far, especially 21-year-old Ollie.
