NZ Herald writes about Atiu Coffee™

We were pleased to read about Atiu Coffee™ in the New Zealand Herald a while ago. Jim Eagles, the journalist who wrote the article in the newspaper’s travel section, had recently visited our island with his wife. The couple had been shown around the plantation and factory. At the end of the tour, savouring our coffee at the Atiu Fibre Arts Studio gallery, both still had lots of questions. We tried to answer as well as we could.

Journalists sometimes get sponsored, like Jim,  by Tourism Cook Islands, Air Rarotonga, and Air New Zealand. Many of them visit Atiu Coffee Factory. They report more or less – and more or less acurately – about Atiu Coffee™. It is a great way to put our little island on the big map. Coffee is a social drink. It provides a great background for enjoyable conversations. These are then reflected in TV programs, digital media, and newspaper articles such as the above.

Most of the time we receive a copy or a link. Sometimes, especially with videos and TV, we are not able to see them, because our Broadband is not efficient enough – yet (!). Sometimes, especially after TV broadcasts, people even ring us. However, we have never had such a successful reaction to any publication as we had to this article.

Coffee fans for life – and even after death!

Our coffee may have won fans for life and  has left a memory outlasting death. Many new coffee customers ordered Atiu Coffee™ to try it out. We also received a letter from M.H. Uiterdyk, who wrote:

“Dear Sir/Madam,

It is with interest and pleasure that I noticed that the Atiu coffee-industry has taken on so well that you are now even producing for the Consumer-Market, with a Factory in place !

My ex-Colleague from our time on Mangaia, -Mr. Canter Visscher-, gave me a little bit to try out of a packet before he died so I could not ask him where he originally got it from. Luckily I found your address on the packet.

It tasted good and I would very much like to know where l could buy some more here in Auckland. I would be grateful to receive the address(es?) from you and meanwhile would like to wish you well with your Venture; -it really puts Atiu on the map !

Awaiting your reply, I remain

M. H. UITERDYK
(ex- Tangata kaopeC .I.)”

We are very thrilled about this response. We have replied to Mr. Uiterdyk, because we want to know more about his time on Mangaia as a tangata kaope C.I  (Cook Islands coffee man). Unfortunately, there are no outlets in Auckland for him to buy our coffee from. However we’ve sent him a bag and he may order more in the future. We’ll keep you posted!