Hokonui Moonshine Museum and Distillery
The Maruawai project received a $729,000 grant from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) administered by Kānoa – Regional Economic Development Unit. This funding supported stage 1 of 2 in redeveloping the Maruawai Precinct in Gore.
While this funding is helping provide an opportunity to tell a unique Southland story, it’s also supporting economic growth in Gore with 40 people employed to date to complete project, several of which from the Gore district. The Hokonui Moonshine Museum and Distillery presents a rich tapestry of local stories and gives both locals and visitors a greater insight into the town’s history.
The funding contributed to upgrading the site, adding facilities for on-site production of ‘Old Hokonui,’ and meeting the increased demand for tours and function-based activity.
Over 50 years of localised prohibition left Southland with a legacy of illicit spirit production – brewing many a tale to be told. This is a nationally unique story, with the legend behind the bootleg whiskey and its creator’s family history being shared in the Hokonui Moonshine Museum. A range of audio-visuals, artefacts and dioramas keep the story of the Scottish settlers and their whiskey brewing days alive.
The wing that tells the story of the illicit whiskey brewing, also houses an operational distillery. With locally grown barley being processed and put through the still with spring water sourced from the Hokonui Hills – this distillery draws on local resources to create their special brew, made to the original recipe of the McRae’s.