Peoples Coffee founder Matt Lamason points to an Italian espresso machine and a barista churning out a run of coffees in a Wellington cafe and says: “Imagine our city without these!’’

Wellingtonians are all about coffee. The capital is fueled by an estimated 40-odd roasteries which roast and grind beans for cafes here and around New Zealand. It’s no surprise that Wellington is New Zealand’s coffee capital - those in the industry point to its weather, bohemian culture, and the compact city which makes it easy to get around. Wellingtonians like to chew the fat about politics and burning social issues over a flat white.

The city has about 850 cafes and restaurants - more per capita than New York City - and every one of them as a coffee machine