Tui HQ is the visitor home of the historic Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka, about 50 km east of Palmerston North on State Highway 2. The brewery has been operating in one form or another since Henry Wagstaff first set up on the banks of the Mangatainoka River in 1889, making it one of the longest-continuously-operating brewing sites in New Zealand.
Note: public brewery tours ended after 25 years and are no longer offered. Tui HQ today is built around beer tasting sessions (including the Tuiversity Beer Masterclass), the free HisTui museum, a cafe and garden bar, and a calendar of community events including the annual Tui Truck Stop and monthly Mangatainoka Motors Car Days.
Practical Information
| Location | State Highway 2, Mangatainoka (south of Pahiatua, Tararua district) |
| Distance from Palmerston North | About 50 km east, 45-50 min drive via Pahiatua Track or SH3/SH2 |
| Visitor activities | Beer tastings, Tuiversity Beer Masterclass, free HisTui museum, cafe, garden bar, shop |
| Brewery tours | Public brewery tours ended after 25 years and are no longer offered |
| Monthly event | Mangatainoka Motors Car Days, last Sunday of each month |
| Annual event | Tui Truck Stop |
| Owner | DB Breweries |
About Tui Brewery
Tui Brewery has been on its Mangatainoka River site in one form or another since Henry Wagstaff first set up shop there in 1889. In 1903 Wagstaff sold the brewery to Henry Cowan, who developed the prize-winning East India Pale Ale that the brand still trades on. In 1923 the brewery was renamed Tui Brewery.
The brewery’s most-recognisable feature is the Tui Tower: a seven-storey brick brew tower built in 1931 so brewers could use gravity to turn malt into beer. The original builders famously forgot to put in a lift and stairs, a problem later rectified. The Tui Tower is now a Heritage New Zealand Category 1 listed landmark and is visible from State Highway 2.
Tui became a national brand from the 1950s onward and is now part of the DB Breweries group. Production continues at Mangatainoka alongside expanded brewing at DB’s other sites; the Mangatainoka brewery remains active and houses the visitor centre.
What’s at Tui HQ
The visitor offering at Tui HQ has changed: where the site once ran public brewery tours, those tours ended after 25 years. The current programme is built around tastings, the museum, the cafe and bar, and the event calendar.
Beer tastings let visitors try the Tui range and other DB beers as a tasting tray. The Tuiversity Beer Masterclass is a more in-depth guided session for beer enthusiasts. The free HisTui museum covers the brewery’s 130+ year history including the Wagstaff and Cowan eras, the 1931 tower, and the wider Tui brand story (the long-running ‘Yeah Right’ billboard campaign is part of this).
The cafe serves a locally inspired menu and the garden bar provides outdoor relaxation space. The shop carries Tui-branded merchandise and beers to take home. Events include the annual Tui Truck Stop, monthly Mangatainoka Motors Car Days (last Sunday of every month), and one-off concerts and gatherings.
Getting There from Palmerston North
Two main routes from Palmerston North. The Pahiatua Track climbs through the Tararua Ranges and is shorter but slower; allow about 45 minutes. The alternative via Ashhurst, the Manawatu Gorge replacement (Saddle Road or the new Te Ahu a Turanga highway), and SH2 south through Woodville is longer in distance but easier driving, around 50 minutes.
Combine Tui HQ with the adjacent Mangatainoka River Reserve, the Tararua Lake Domain in Pahiatua, or the wider Tararua district scenic loop for a fuller day out.
What Visitors Often Say
Visitors consistently describe Tui HQ as a strong destination stop, with the iconic 1931 brew tower, the free HisTui museum, the tastings (including the Tuiversity Masterclass), and the garden bar all drawing positive mentions. Long-time visitors note the shift from tours to tastings as a change in the offering but generally rate the current programme well.
Practical observations: brewery tours are no longer offered (since the 25-year programme ended); plan for tasting plus museum plus cafe/bar instead; book Tuiversity Masterclass ahead; the Pahiatua Track is scenic but winding (motion-sickness risk for passengers); the monthly Mangatainoka Motors Car Day (last Sunday) is a draw if you are a car enthusiast.
Where to Learn More
Tui HQ official site: tastings, masterclass, cafe and bar, museum, current events and shop.
Tui Our Story (DB Breweries): official brand history from 1889 Henry Wagstaff founding through Cowan ownership, 1923 renaming and the modern era.
Heritage New Zealand: Tui Tower: Category 1 listing for the 1931 brew tower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are brewery tours still offered?
No. The public brewery tour programme ended after 25 years. Today’s offering is beer tasting sessions, the Tuiversity Beer Masterclass, the free HisTui museum, cafe, garden bar and shop.
Where is Tui HQ?
On State Highway 2 at Mangatainoka, south of Pahiatua in the Tararua district, about 45-50 minutes drive east of Palmerston North.
When was Tui Brewery founded?
1889, by Henry Wagstaff on the banks of the Mangatainoka River. Henry Cowan took over in 1903; the brewery was renamed Tui Brewery in 1923.
What is the Tui Tower?
The seven-storey brick brew tower built in 1931 so brewers could use gravity to turn malt into beer. It is a Heritage New Zealand Category 1 listed landmark.
Is the museum free?
Yes. The HisTui museum at Tui HQ is free.
Are there events?
Yes. The monthly Mangatainoka Motors Car Days run on the last Sunday of each month, and the annual Tui Truck Stop is a major calendar event. Check the Tui HQ site for current bookings and one-off events.
What is the best way to get there from Palmerston North?
Via the Pahiatua Track (about 45 minutes, scenic but winding) or via Ashhurst, the Saddle Road / Te Ahu a Turanga highway over the Manawatu Gorge replacement, and SH2 south (about 50 minutes, easier driving).
For more day-trip ideas, see day trips from Palmerston North or browse the historical and cultural sites hub.