The Plough Hotel

About The Plough Hotel

The Plough Hotel is a historic country pub that has occupied High Street in Rangiora since 1861, when it first opened as Stephens Hotel before becoming The Plough Inn in 1865. The building itself carries genuine heritage—originally serving draymen and coach passengers as Rangiora grew, it survived a devastating fire in 1891 and was rebuilt in its current wooden form, with original stables still visible in the carpark area.

In 2015, two couples—Mike & Golda and Amy & Luke—took over the slightly run-down venue and have lovingly restored it while maintaining its character and history. A history hallway inside pays homage to years gone by. The pub is genuinely family-friendly: muddy rugby boots are welcome, portions are generous, and the menu ranges from hearty pub classics to meals for children. The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed, with the owners known for hands-on hospitality and great service.

Beyond dining, The Plough offers pool table and darts, a gaming and horsey corner for entertainment, and an extended playground for kids. There's also a Thirsty Liquor bottle store on-site, accommodation available, and the pub has been featured in the latest New Zealand Pubs book. All-day family dining runs from 11am, with cooking continuing to 8:30pm every day.

The Plough Hotel Rangiora: Historic Country Pub with Heart and Hearty Food

The Plough Hotel stands on Rangiora's High Street as a genuine piece of local history. Opening its doors in 1861 as Stephens Hotel under Solomon Stephens' liquor licence, it became The Plough Inn in 1865 and has remained a gathering place ever since. The building saw draymen and coach passengers arrive as the town grew, survived a devastating fire in 1891, and was rebuilt in the wooden structure that stands today—with original stables still visible in the carpark.

Over 160 years, the pub became embedded in Rangiora's social fabric. Through numerous owners and decades of additions, The Plough evolved into a proper country pub—the kind of place where locals gather and where history lives in the walls.

A Fresh Chapter

In 2015, two couples—Mike & Golda and Amy & Luke—took over and committed to restoring the venue's spirit while honouring its heritage. As hands-on operators, they've brought renewed energy to the pub with genuinely welcoming service and a philosophy that embraces character: muddy rugby boots are welcome, families belong here, and everyone is looked after well.

The Food & Atmosphere

The menu is straightforward country pub fare done properly. Generous portions of steaks (300gm Angus Sirloin, 250gm Prime Ribeye), fresh blue cod from Chatham Island, slow-roasted pork, and signature burgers including The Ultimate (200gm beef, bacon, cheese, egg, onion rings with Tui-mato sauce). All-day breakfast runs from 11am, with options ranging from a full fry-up to bacon and eggs on toast. Kids get proper meals, not afterthoughts.

The pub inside is welcoming—pool table, darts, gaming corner, a horsey corner for enthusiasts, and a Thirsty Liquor bottle store. An extended playground keeps children entertained. The atmosphere is relaxed, social, and thoroughly local.

More Than Just a Pub

The Plough also offers accommodation for visitors, making it a destination rather than just a stop. Vouchers are available for every occasion (online via SOS Business or at the bar), and the pub has been featured in the latest New Zealand Pubs book. Hours run 11am to late every day—cooking continues to 8:30pm.

Signature items

• The Ultimate Burger
• Beer Battered Blue Cod
• Roast Pork
• All Day Breakfast
• Angus Steaks
• Historic Atmosphere

Menu

Sides

• Eggs — 2 free range eggs
• Side Fries — Golden fries
• Bacon — Streaky bacon
• Side Salad — Mixed salad
• Mash — Creamy mashed potato

Salads

• Four Seasons Salad — Meaty salad with seasonal ingredients—check the blackboard
• Warm Vegetable Salad — Panfried vegetables, salad, pinenuts, feta with herb dressing

Steaks

• 180gm Steak, Eggs & Chips — Prime Angus Sirloin with 2 eggs and your choice of sauce
• 300gm Angus Sirloin — Angus Sirloin with battered onion rings, fries, salad, sauce
• 250gm Prime Ribeye — Prime Ribeye on creamy mash with onion rings and coleslaw

Main Dishes

• Roast Pork — With roast potatoes, pumpkin, peas, carrots, broccoli, cheese sauce and apple sauce
• Beer Battered Blue Cod — Chatham Island blue cod in Steinlager beer batter with fries and tartare sauce
• Panfried Blue Cod — Chatham Island blue cod in garlic & herb butter on rosti or fries

All Day Breakfast

• All Day Breakfast — 2 free range eggs, bacon, hash browns, sausages, mushrooms, tomato
• Bacon & Eggs on Toast — 2 free range eggs and bacon on thick white toast
• Smaller Person's Breakfast — 1 fried egg, sausages, bacon and hash brown on toast

Burgers & Sandwiches

• B.L.T on Ciabatta — Bacon, crispy lettuce, fresh tomato with fries and aioli
• The Ultimate Burger — 200gm beef patty, bacon, swiss cheese, egg, onion rings with Tui-mato sauce
• Southern Fried Chicken Burger — Louisiana fried chicken with chipotle coleslaw on brioche
• Cheese Burger — 100gm Angel Bay beef pattie with cheese, lettuce, tomato
• Black Bean Brioche Burger — Black bean and chickpea patty with salad and aioli

Starters & Shareables

• Garlic Herb Butter — With pesto dips available
• Skewer of Garlic Prawns — Fresh garlic prawns on skewer

Frequently asked questions

What are your opening hours?

Mon-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-1am, Sun 11am-11pm. Cooking runs from 11am to 8:30pm every day.

Is The Plough family-friendly?

Absolutely. The Plough is genuinely family-friendly with kids' menus, an extended playground, gaming areas, and a relaxed atmosphere where families are welcomed.

What's the history of The Plough?

The Plough has stood on High Street since 1861, originally as Stephens Hotel. It was renamed Plough Inn in 1865 and has been a gathering place for Rangiora ever since, surviving a fire in 1891.

Do you have accommodation?

Yes. The Plough offers accommodation for guests. Enquire at the bar or via phone 03 313 7207.

What are your signature dishes?

The Ultimate Burger (200gm beef, bacon, cheese, egg), Beer Battered Blue Cod (Chatham Island fish), Roast Pork with crackling, and Angus Steaks are customer favourites.

Can I buy takeaway alcohol?

Yes. Thirsty Liquor bottle store is on-site for bottle shop purchases.

Are gift vouchers available?

Yes. Vouchers are available for every occasion—purchase at the bar or online via SOS Business.

Tips

• {"body":"Signature burger with 200gm beef, bacon, swiss cheese, egg, onion rings and Tui-mato sauce—portions are generous.","title":"Try The Ultimate Burger"}
• {"body":"Fresh Chatham Island blue cod in Steinlager beer batter—a pub classic done properly with tartare sauce.","title":"Order the Beer Battered Blue Cod"}
• {"body":"Full fry-up available any time from 11am—eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, mushrooms, grilled tomato.","title":"Come for the All Day Breakfast"}
• {"body":"The Plough offers on-site accommodation, making it ideal for a night out in Rangiora with no driving home.","title":"Book accommodation for a visit"}
• {"body":"Walk the history hallway and enjoy a pub that's been welcoming locals since 1861—genuine heritage and character.","title":"Experience the history"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Genuinely family-friendly with kids' menu, extended playground, gaming area, and welcoming atmosphere","parking":"Car park available on-site; original stables area now carpark","payments":"Phone 03 313 7207 or email theplough@xtra.co.nz for enquiries","accessibility":"Contact 03 313 7207 for accessibility requirements"}