What, no coffee!

Hey Wellington, did you catch this article about a West Australian and Kiwi born mining CEO Chris Ellison banning coffee breaks for his staff? No more popping out for a quick flat white, no matter how tempting it is. Can you imagine that flying in our fair capital?

As a relative newcomer to Wellington, one thing that's struck me is the city's love affair with coffee meetings. Whether it's building relationships, closing deals, or even conducting interviews, it seems like everything's done over a cuppa.

I've written about Brisbane's breakfast culture before, but Wellingtonians take it to another level. So why the coffee obsession? I'm not entirely sure, but here are a few theories:

• The coffee is fantastic: Melbourne might have a reputation, but Wellington's coffee scene is top-notch.
  
  
• The city is compact: You can find a great café within a few meters of anywhere in the CBD.
  
  
• The people are friendly: Wellingtonians are a relaxed bunch. Why not do business in a casual and comfortable setting?
  
  
• The weather can be unpredictable: Let's face it, sometimes a hot coffee is just what you need to warm up on a blustery day.
  
  
• Networking is key: Wellington is a highly networked city, and a lot of those connections are made over coffee.

So, could a Wellington CEO get away with banning coffee breaks? I highly doubt it! But I'm curious to hear your thoughts. Why do you think coffee meetings are so popular in Wellington? And what would your reaction be if your boss tried to keep you chained to your desk?

Let's get the conversation brewing!