She’s been vindicated! NZ’s best barista struggled to get visa
Luise Metelka is one of the country’s best baristas. But only a few years ago the German-born coffee lover was struggling to convince Immigration New Zealand to let her stay here and work in the industry as it wasn’t considered a ‘‘skilled’’ job.
After winning the 2021 New Zealand Barista Championship last month, the 27-year-old hopes her story will change people’s perceptions about the occupation.
‘‘A lot of barista jobs are still seen as student jobs but it can be a career; I think I’ve proven that,’’ she said.
Growing up in Berlin, which didn’t have a strong coffee culture, Metelka learnt to make a good espresso while working in a specialty cafe when she was living
in Australia in her early 20s.
‘‘I just fell in love with the whole science of coffee and the flavour explosion,’’ she said.
In 2017, she moved to Wellington to take a job as a barista at Flight Coffee. She was quickly promoted to head barista and two years ago trained as a coffee roaster with the brand.
Recognising her talent, her employer wanted to sponsor her work visa in 2018, but first Immigration New Zealand required the company to show that a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident was unable to fill the position instead.
‘‘It was quite difficult to explain to them, it’s actually a skill, being able to taste properly.’’
Eventually, after a search for other suitable candidates proved fruitless, Metelka’s visa was
approved. She said making and roasting coffee was a ‘‘craft’’, similar to cooking and winemaking.
She entered her first competition two years ago in a bid to hone her craft, so taking home the top prize at the championship in Upper Hutt last month felt surreal.
Participants make four espressos, four milk beverages and four signature drinks for a panel of four judges.
‘‘You have to tell the story of your coffee, bring a synergy between the drinks, serve the highest-quality drinks.’’
Metelka will represent Aotearoa in the World Barista Championship in early 2022. Exactly where and when the competition will be held is yet to be decided, because of Covid-19.