Kevin Schwass

  • Hall of Fame
  • 2014

When applying to join Lion Breweries as a trainee manager, the only formal qualification Kevin could offer was as an Artificial Breeding Insemination Technician!

Obtained whilst growing up on a Manawatu dairy farm, Kevin left the farm in 1971 to join the NZ Police wherein he spent most of his career as a detective in the CIB.

In 1980, a career-change saw him become part of an industry he really enjoyed – hospitality.

Kevin went on to lease and manage either in his own right or in partnership a number of iconic licensed entities in Drury, Napier, and the Auckland CBD and for ten years the Poenamo Hotel, the spiritual home in those days of the All Blacks; along with virtually every other international rugby or sporting team to visit Auckland.

In 1996, Kevin opened the R’toto Pub & Café along with the Rangitoto Brewing Co, one of the first NZ bars at the time to specialise in craft-beers; establishing Takapuna as a burgeoning hospitality precinct.

In 2002, he opened the Blankenberge Belgian Beer Café, officially opened by their Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Belgium. In subsequent years Kevin created Florrie McGreal’s Irish Pub and in partnership converted R’toto into a Macs Brew Bar.

Frustrated with local body politicians, in 2004 Kevin was elected onto the North Shore City Council where he served two terms as a Councillor followed by one-term as Deputy Chairman of the Takapuna-Devonport Local Board, part of Auckland’s new super-city.

In 2004 Kevin was awarded HANZ’s "Personality of the Year" and in 2010 was honoured for his services to hospitality and the community, being awarded a Queens Service Medal. In 2012 he became a Justice of the Peace.

Kevin has been the Auckland Branch President and a Board Member of Hospitality NZ.