The Rutland Arms Inn is an iconic heritage pub, restaurant, and hotel situated in the historic heart of Whanganui. Built originally in 1849 and beautifully preserved, the establishment blends authentic English tavern character with warm Kiwi hospitality. Guests can unwind in the refurbished dining room, relax at the bar, or stay in one of the eight well-appointed guest suites.
Helmed by local hosts Tavis Small and Jennifer Gilbertson-Small alongside Head Chef Richard Corcoran and Sous Chef Sam Jones, the inn offers a menu of traditional British pub favourites presented in a modern style, paired with fresh New Zealand cuisine. Complementing the kitchen is an extensive selection of local, imported, and craft beers alongside quality spirits and craft gin.
Whether dropping by for dinner, enjoying craft brews with friends, or settling in for a comfortable stay on one of the town's most prominent street corners, the Rutland Arms provides a welcoming and timeless atmosphere.
Standing prominently at the corner of Victoria Avenue and Ridgway Street, the Rutland Arms Inn holds a central place in the history and social fabric of Whanganui. Originally established in 1849 by Sergeant William Spiers-Russell to serve soldiers stationed at the nearby Pukenamu stockade, the inn has survived fires, earthquakes, and decades of urban evolution to remain one of the few city hotels still operating on its original historic site.
Named after England's smallest county and the regiment stationed locally in the 1840s, the Rutland has welcomed travellers, local patrons, and business people for well over a century and a half. In 1966, the dining room was famously decorated in Wedgwood Blue and Gold for a visit from the Queen Mother. While an auction in the late 1980s stripped away many interior fittings, dedicated local restoration in the 1990s carefully revived the landmark's original character. Today, the property offers eight stylishly refurbished guest suites upstairs alongside a bustling ground-floor pub and restaurant.
Since 2010, the inn has been proudly operated by Whanganui-born hosts Tavis Small and Jennifer Gilbertson-Small. Bringing degrees in hospitality management and international experience from London and Wellington, the couple and their family have maintained the Rutland's tradition of attentive, personable service in an atmosphere that feels both historic and lived-in.
In the kitchen, Head Chef Richard Corcoran and Sous Chef Sam Jones oversee a dining offering rooted in classic English tavern traditions executed with a fresh New Zealand approach. The kitchen focuses on comforting, hearty meals across lunch and dinner services, catering to everyday gatherings, family meals, and celebratory dinners alike.
To accompany the food, the bar showcases a distinctive focus on craft beverages. Guests can sample an array of local, domestic, and international craft beers, along with a wide spectrum of craft gins and spirits. It remains an enduring gathering place that celebrates the best of heritage architecture and genuine community hospitality.