Aussies are up in arms after a very bold claim was spotted at Wellington International Airport in New Zealand.
The offending sign pokes at our national pride in the form of a good flat white, and where exactly it originates from.
The sign reads: “Home is where the flat white was really invented,” and Sydney comedian Tom Cashman quickly noticed, sharing a video that went viral where he labeled the assertion as ‘disinformation.’
‘I’m from Sydney,’ Tom said in the clip, which has now amassed over 850,000 views.
‘Anyone familiar with flat whites knows they originated in Sydney. Initially, I thought the sign was a playful jest for our plane. But then it dawned on me that it’s a permanent fixture—they genuinely believe it!’
For those not in the loop, the flat white is a popular espresso drink known for its velvety steamed milk combined with a shot (or two) of robust coffee—an essential item on countless Australian café menus from Melbourne to Byron Bay and beyond.
And while the trans-Tasman battle over who invented pavlova and Crowded House is nothing new, this latest dispute has reignited tensions like never before.
According to Tom (and a quick dive into Wikipedia), Australia’s claim goes back to 1983, when a Sydney café named Miller Treat first referenced a ‘flat white’ in a review.
Sydney-based comedian Tom Cashman (pictured), has caused a stir online after seeing this very bold claim at Wellington International Airport in New Zealand
Tom, who posted the now-viral video calling out the claim as ‘disinformation’, delved deeper to prove his theory that, NZ in fact, did not invent the flat white
The drink gained popularity across Sydney’s buzzing coffee scene, and by 1985, it was a menu staple at Moors Espresso Bar.
Even Parliament House in Canberra reportedly had a sign reading ‘flat white only’ during a milk froth shortage that same year.
One version involves an Auckland café whose owners admit they heard the term from a friend who worked in Sydney.
Another blames a botched cappuccino in Wellington in 1989, years after Sydney’s documented origins.
A third story, from an Auckland barista-turned-author, says he was serving a flat white in the mid-80s using, ironically, an Australian recipe.
‘What are we even talking about here?’ Tom said.
While the Kiwis continue to push their claims, the paper trail overwhelmingly points back to Sydney as the birthplace of the beloved brew.
Tom doesn’t hold back in his video, even joking that Wellington Airport is waging a ‘disinformation campaign’ with its flat white sign – and calling on the Australian Defence Force to ‘invade Wellington and remove it with physical force’.
For those unaware, the flat white is a beloved espresso-based drink that features silky steamed milk and a shot (or two) of strong coffee – a staple on Aussie café menus nationwide
According to Tom (and a quick dive into Wikipedia), Australia’s claim goes back to 1983, when a Sydney café first referenced a ‘flat white’ in a review, whereas new Zealand’s was referenced as 1989
He also throws shade at Contact Energy, the New Zealand company behind the airport display, noting that its biggest shareholders are in fact, major US corporations. Meaning the ‘Kiwi claim’ might not be so local after all.
‘This story really escalated,’ wrote one fan on his video.
‘You’re single handedly keeping investigative journalism alive in Australia,’ another joked.
‘This is disinformation being spread by a foreign-owned company,’ Tom added. ‘Is it even legal to have this much disinformation at an airport?!’
While the debate over the flat white’s true origin may never be fully settled, one thing is clear, this isn’t just about coffee. It’s about national identity, bragging rights, and the sacred ritual of a morning brew.
And for Australians, especially those from coffee-obsessed Melbourne and Sydney, the idea that the flat white didn’t originate here is nothing short of sacrilege.
All that said, Tom did make one last comment and it was surprisingly in New Zealand’s favour.
‘I do like the fact that the flat whites in Wellington seem quite strong.’
One thing’s for sure, the next time you order a flat white, be prepared to sip it with a side of controversy.
