decent packaging NZ

Three words... Wolf Coffee Roasters. 

Located in Arrowtown, and supplying some of the best cafes in town, Wolf Coffee Roasters is one not to be missed.

In our latest decent conversation, we were lucky enough to chat with Operations Manager, Devan, about the power of community, finding the story behind each single origin, and how conscious and intentional choices can help take the overwhelm out of sustainability in hospitality. 

Read on to find out more...

First up, what inspired you to open Wolf Coffee Roasters?

Our journey began with a deep love for great coffee, of course, but more than that, we saw an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the many hands that contribute to every cup—from cherry to brew. We wanted to create a space that connects people to the process, working closely with local suppliers and bean producers to bring their hard work to the forefront.

It all started with our first spot—a container cafe on Queen’s Wharf, Auckland—where we took pride in introducing our regular latte drinkers to the beauty of single-origin batch brews. Over time, our passion grew as we saw how coffee brings people together. The name Wolf Coffee reflects the idea that the coffee industry is like a wolf pack—each member, from the coffee cherry pickers overseas to the milk delivery drivers, plays a vital role in making every cup possible.

Across your channels we can see that you really value and support your people. Can you tell us more about this community vibe you have created and why this is important to your business.

At Wolf Coffee, our wolf pack mentality runs deep—we couldn’t do what we do without the support of our staff, regular customers, suppliers, and wider community. Coffee is more than just a drink; it’s about connection, and we’ve always strived to create a space where everyone feels welcome. 

When we relocated to Arrowtown in 2019, we truly saw the power of community. The town has a unique rhythm, with a strong culture of supporting one another while also welcoming fresh faces through the changing seasons. This dynamic has only strengthened our commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive environment—whether it’s through our staff, our customers, or the relationships we build with local suppliers. For us, coffee isn’t just about the drink—it’s about the people who make it possible.

You have lots of different beans available, how do you work to develop the perfect brew?

As a team, we cup about 40-50 different coffees a month. We are always looking for a single origin that stops us in our tracks. Something that makes us think, second guess, go back for that third/fourth taste. Then we look for the story - who's the farmer, where's the farm located, what makes this batch stand out from the rest. 

We roast on the lighter side to promote sweetness and highlight the terror of the bean origin. Tasting each step of the way, experimenting with development and resting times. While we do love to showcase new flavour notes and origins, we understand some of our customers just want a bold, strong, reliable morning cup of coffee. That’s why we are constantly refining our blends—cupping, tasting, and perfecting them week after week to ensure every cup meets our exacting standards.

Let’s chat about sustainability! Can you tell us more about what this means to Wolf Coffee Roasters and how this is translated into your business?

Sustainability is something we actively try to build into every layer of our business. For us, it starts at the source. We work closely with importers who prioritise traceability and transparency. Many of the farms we source from implement eco-conscious practices like water conservation, reforestation, and organic farming methods. Due to our location, takeaway packaging is crucial for our business and we are confident that our plant based, compostable packaging from Decent is the best option!  We’re always looking at ways to minimize our footprint in daily operations. That includes using compostable or recyclable packaging wherever possible. We always enjoy offering our coffee sacks to the community to use for local gardens and events.

How have customers responded to your sustainability efforts?

The response has been really positive! Our customers appreciate the effort we put into making sustainable choices. In Arrowtown, there’s a strong sense of environmental awareness, and people love seeing businesses take steps to reduce waste and operate more responsibly.

What advice do you have for those within the hospitality industry trying to implement sustainability initiatives?

Start small, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Sustainability can feel overwhelming when you look at it as one big challenge, but it really comes down to making conscious, intentional choices. Begin by identifying the areas in your business where waste or impact is highest — whether that’s packaging, energy use, food waste, or sourcing — and focus on what you can realistically improve first.

You have some epic custom-branded decent Hot Cups! What made you decide to use sustainable packaging?

Sustainability has been a focus for us from day one, which is why we’ve always used decent cups. In the early days, we spent hours hand-stamping our logo onto cups from the core range. Now, we’ve evolved to having our own custom-branded cups, which we also supply to our wholesale accounts—so if you’re in Queenstown, chances are you’ll spot a Wolf Coffee cup in hand!

Decent has played a big role in helping us refine our sustainability practices, from transitioning from PLA straws to paper to continuously seeking better ways to reduce our impact. Sustainable packaging is just a no brainer!

What are you most excited about for the future of Wolf Coffee Roasters? 

One of the biggest things is reinventing our retail packaging — we’re currently working on new designs that are not only sustainable but durable for international transit. We’re especially keen to introduce more reusable options, like tins, to help cut down on single-use waste and give our customers something they can keep and refill. After a very busy few years, we have the intention to slow down and recenter ourselves. The future for Wolf is all about thoughtful growth — more connection, more creativity, and more conscious choices in everything we do.

Finally, for those interested in trying or stocking Wolf Coffee, what is the best way to get in touch?

Feel free to reach out directly at devan@wolfcoffee.co.nz or visit us at our website or social media!