Green Parrot Cafe owner Kosta Sakoufakis dies aged 86

Monday, 25 May 2026

The owner of an iconic Wellington restaurant known for its frequent political diners has died aged 86.

Kosta Sakoufakis co-owned the Green Parrot Cafe with his son Chris.

In a Sunday night Facebook post, the cafe wrote that they “will be closed as we take time to grieve and be together during this difficult period”.

NZ First Leader Winston Peters - a well-known customer - expressed his condolences in a post.

“(Kosta) was always a gracious and kind person who put all of his energy and spirit into the Green Parrot,” Peters wrote.

“Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends on this seriously sad news.”

While the restaurant is approaching its 100th birthday, the Sakoufakis family took over the business in 1970 and Kosta became a co-owner in 1986.

It became most well-known as a watering hole for politicians throughout the years, including Peters.

The father and son duo listed the Cafe for sale in 2023, but they ultimately did not find a buyer.