The Duke turns 170 | Northland News | Local News in Northland

The Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell celebrated two milestones on Saturday night _ 170 years since New Zealand's first liquor licence was issued on October 30, 1840, and the first stage of a major revamp by its new owners. The guest list included Duke staff from as far back as the 1950s, former All Black and Samoa rep Dylan Mika and former Northland captain John Campbell. Peter de Graaf joined the party. 

WHAT'S IN A NAME?
The original Duke of Marlborough was born John Churchill in 1650. An English general, he
thrashed the French in the 1704 Battle of Blenheim in what is now Germany - a victory that
transformed England from island backwater to European power.
Queen Anne rewarded him with land, a title and a palace she called Blenheim. He and his
successors became fabulously wealthy, and many a pub was named in his honour.  Wartime leader Winston Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace.

THE OLDEST PUB?

There's no argument about which New Zealand pub has the oldest licence - the Duke of
Marlborough's 1840 liquor licence is labelled `No1'. The oldest pub in New Zealand, however, is a more contentious question. Several establishments around the country argue the title belongs to them. One of the leading contenders is Horeke Tavern in South Hokianga, which has been operating since the 1820s. Duke co-owner Anton Haagh says the Russell hotel
was trading for 13 years without a licence and in any case, ``no one can take away the
fact that we have the oldest licence''.