At Your Local is a documentary series celebrating the role local cafes play in shaping the communities around them. Across New Zealand and Australia, we explore the stories, values and personalities behind cafes that have become cornerstones of their communities.
For this episode, we head to the Coromandel to visit Waiomu Beach Cafe and meet owner Julie McMillan. Julie has been the custodian of Waiomu Beach Cafe for more than 15 years, quietly building it into one of those rare places that feels as much a part of Waiomu as the beach across the road. What began as a roadside stop has become a local institution, serving everyone from fishermen and holidaymakers to generations of regulars who return time and time again.
For Julie, hospitality has always extended beyond what's on the menu. A long-time advocate for sustainability and local enterprise, she's made a habit of championing Coromandel producers, employing locals, and finding practical ways to reduce the cafe's environmental footprint. At the heart of it all is a simple question: "What can I do for my environment around here? What can I do for my community?"
That commitment has seen Waiomu Beach Cafe become far more than a place to grab a coffee. During road closures and severe weather, the cafe has remained a familiar gathering point for locals. It's a place where neighbours look out for one another, where travellers stop to recharge, and where everyone is welcome.
As Julie puts it, "The people that we get to interact with come from all walks of life, from all ages, so everybody's welcome."
