Nikau Cafe's current premises are in the City Gallery Te Whare Toi building which is currently closed due to construction work. Photo: CC-BY-SA-3.0 / Rachel.healy
Wellington's Nikau Cafe has announced it is closing after 25 years, saying the ongoing disruption of nearby construction and earthquake strengthening have become too much.
It continues to hunt for a new location, but said nothing so far has met its "unique requirements".
In a post on Instagram, the cafe said: "We hope that soon we can welcome you back in a new capacity. Until then, please know how grateful we are for your support and the memories we've created together."
Its last day would be Monday, 16 December.
The cafe's current premises are in the City Gallery Te Whare Toi building, which is currently closed due to construction work on its doorstep.
RNZ reported in May the cafe was struggling.
Owner Shelley Addison told RNZ they were informed only a day before the public that the gallery would be shutting sooner than expected, in June 2024 rather than 2025, due to the disruption from ongoing construction work in Te Ngākau Civic Square on its doorstep.
The cafe said the nearby construction work had "made it increasingly difficult for us to operate in our usual way", and essential earthquake strengthening set down for February 2025 would have closed the cafe itself for the duration.
It is the latest in a spate of hospitality closures in the capital, including Hiakai, Field and Green, Shepherd, Tulsi, Milk Crate, The Bresolin, Pandoro and Egmont Street Eatery - most of which attribute their struggles to the poor economic climate and lack of customers.
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