From Italy to Wellington

When Antonino Meo came to New Zealand from Italy he brought old ways to his new land. A love of good food and a passion for good coffee, things not easily found in 1951 New Zealand. For Antonino, coffee was a “modo di vivere" - “a way of life”. There was always the ritual, always the respect.

In a land where we are all Immigrants he embraced those around him. Even those of us who weren’t his family were made part of his family; his love for espresso passed on to us. Today we source the worlds best beans, carefully roast them and deliver them to you, just as Antonino would have it – the finest coffee The Immigrant’s Son can make.

The Immigrant’s Son espresso was founded in 2005 by Andrew Meo – son of the Italian immigrant, Antonino Meo. Antonino arrived in New Zealand with a suitcase, a passion for good food and good coffee. Naturally Andrew inherited this passion and his expertise in the industry laid the foundations for The Immigrant’s Son Espresso. These foundations were nestled in inner city Wellington, in the shadows of Mount Victoria. If you’re walking up Elizabeth Street, you’ll find a small garage like structure with a substantial chimney out the right hand side. This was the home of The Immigrant’s Son for 16 years until 2021. Industrialization took over, the land on which the former roastery lay was purchased by developers and so the opportunity for expansion took place. Now firmly planted at 22 Kaiwharawhara Road, at the bottom of the Ngaio Gorge in a purpose built (and much bigger) facility - The Immigrant’s Son is capable of producing the finest artisan espresso Wellington can offer.

Today’s head roaster claims Andrew passed on to him the secret philosophy of the Italian coffee Gods: “modo di vivere” – “a way of life”. Today our small team live and work by this philosophy and pay our respects to the powers that be by producing the finest espresso we can.