Hotel at the heart of Kaukapakapa gets new lease on life
• April 17, 2025
Shed 16 is set to open, with owner Sophia Pedersen at the forefront. Photo credit: Briar Jackson
The Kaukapakapa Hotel in the centre of a small rural town north of Auckland has been going through a facelift.
Owner Sophia Pedersen, along with a group of landlords, have taken on the major task of reviving the important local landmark.
The hotel, these days renamed Shed 16, is a place with a history back in 1865, when it was an illegal distillery before being granted a liquor licence.
It was burned down and rebuilt in 1912, with addition after addition to the building following. Pedersen has taken pride in showcasing its history.
Shed 16 was a busy Kaukapakapa hub for locals and many passing through until covid hit Auckland and forced many businesses to close.
Pedersen says she now wants to bring back a community hub in a meaningful way.
“[When] I came in it was red carpet. The floor was sticky.
“It needed a lot of love,” says Pedersen.
She says the floors were caving in in places, and everything was dated.
Renaming it Shed 16 allowed for her to “create different zones” while keeping the original character and history of the building alive.
Shed 16 will feature over three different zones with different atmospheres for it's patrons. Photo Credit: Briar Jackson
The main dining area is named The Distillery’, an ode to the illegal still that once operated out of the building in the 1800s.
Pedersen has named another area The Workshop, more of a pub area with bar leaners, pool table and TV to watch sports.
She has also acknowledged the family who once lived in the building, naming the function room The Hawthorne Lounge.
Pedersen has spent time learning about the small pub’s history, working with the local museum.
“We’re getting the fantastic history-walls that I’m going to be dotting around the place so when people come in, it's not just a place to get a pint and a burger.
“They can actually find out a little bit about Kaukapakapa and a little bit of the history around [the building],” says Pedersen
Pedersen says it is important fixing up the space brought the community together, with locals helping revive the building.
“It was really important that we went with our locals because they are the ones who are coming in here.”
The opening date of the pub has been the talk of the town since late 2024.
Long-time local, Alison Hendricks, said she is “counting down the days” for the opening.
“I’m excited to get together with everyone again and can’t wait for the opening."
Pederson said everyone involved in the reopening is “really excited”.
"We’re also a bit nervous because there is so much anticipation around it.”
Shed 16 is set to open on May 10.
