Tekapo Flat Whites: The $7.20 Caffeine Shake-Down
Flat whites now costing a mint at $7.20 a pop.
The coffee crisis has hit Tekapo where it hurts — the wallet. A local cafe has outrageously priced its flat whites at $7.20. Customers once gulped and now gasp.
Eden Fitzpatrick, brand new to Tekapo, found herself financially bruised. "Came for coffee and left with an IOU. Ridiculous," she fumed. "Just want my caffeine without needing a mortgage."
Their sign's bold invitation to find cheaper brews in Geraldine serves as salt in the wound. Geraldine's cafes report a surge of border-crossing caffeine chasers, spoons and cups at the ready.
Nigel Griffiths, ever the hopeful council candidate, waded into the brew-haha promising to "see if it's fixable." Spoiler: Council's got bugger all say, and Griffiths knows it. "Council's a bit hopeless," he admitted. "Might as well tell them to find decent coffee too."
Tekapo Council, in classic form, confirmed cafe prices aren't their mess. Local coffee lovers seem to be brainstorming carpool rosters to Geraldine.
Tekapo remains in its pricey coffee fog, while bitterly reminiscent drinkers eye Geraldine. They've realised the cafe here charges like it's serving liquid velvet, not steamed moo juice.
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Reader Letters
caffeine_craig
Absolutely rooted if you ask me!
couchgremlin
Lol.
Garry (Halswell)
Mate, when I was a lad, coffee used to cost less than $1. We thought $3 was a rip-off! Now it's over $7? World’s gone mad. Bring back the old prices and the simple life!
Sandra McKenzie
It's strange Nigel thinks the council can magically reduce coffee prices. They don't even sort out the roads properly!
BarryBishopdale
Sandra, exactly! Council can barely manage traffic lights, let alone coffee wars. Next, tea will be $10.
Trev_Hornby
Don't understand why people expect cheap coffee at a tourist spot! It's a bloody luxury, not a right. If you want cheaper, make your own!
wayne1987
Why complain about it online? Just boycott the place and watch them drop their prices. Vote with your wallet, not your comments.
MumOf3_Riccarton
Is anyone else tired of hearing about Geraldine like it's some caffeine Shangri-La? Please, it’s not like they’ve invented liquid gold over there!
local_visionary
Council should introduce a 'coffee levy' to keep local prices down. Sounds crazy, but who knows in this world of $7.20 caffeine hits.
Trevor_Wanaka
Wayne's right, but good luck getting people to give up their morning brews! Coffee culture is rooted too deep.