New Zealand indie coffee brand with a loyal following, KoKaKo, has opened a good looking new cafe in a somewhat forgotten/dodgey spot on Great North Road. A brand that takes the road less travelled, from all accounts the locals are loving it. Serving up really good coffee, food and service in a great looking space, why wouldn't they be voting with their feet?! If you're living in, or lurking about, Auckland then head to 537 Great North Road Grey Lynn.

My mate Murphy keeps me posted on the Kiwi food scene. He just sent me some pics of his sustainable festive-season foodie gift boxes that he's shipping around NZ and over to Oz. He is such a nice young man I thought I'd share them with you. If you're a Kiwi living in Oz and haven't yet posted a pressie home, Mike will arrange to have a gift box of his organic coffee, hot chocolate, a limited edition tea towel and some organic sweet treats delivered to your family and friends in NZ. (BTW you don't have to be a Kiwi to order some organic KokaKo gift goodness).  If you get in quick these boxes of limited edition yumminess can be flinging across the Tasman in time for the 25th (orders close Thursday 9th Dec for shipping outside NZ ).  Friday 17th Dec is the cut off for gift goodies going to the North or South Island. Email Mike directly if you want to place an order, find out about shipping costs, or thank him personally for solving your last minute gift idea dilemma. mike@kokako.co.nz

My mate Murphy is the man behind the Kiwi coffee brand, KoKaKo. He sent me pics of the new pop up cafe he and his crew put together in 24 hours (and its taken me about 24 days to remember he sent them to me - soz about that). He's also put together some limited edition Tee's and a print that tells the KoKaKo coffee bean story. They're fun. Illustrated by Stephen Richardson, you can buy them through Parinto (free shipping anywhere around the globe). If you're in downtown Auckland then pop into this new pop up... find KokaKo on the corner of Wolfe & Federal Streets.