FREE public entry. Tickets only apply to competitors.

The Aotearoa Latte Art Championship 2025 leads to the World Latte Art Championship 2026

All competitors registered to compete prior to Monday 5 May will receive a free ticket to the Championship online workshop on the 6th May 6pm - 8:30-9pm as part of their entry for registering early. All attendees must log in prior to the workshop starting.

The 2025 prize pack will include flights and accommodation to the World Latte Art Championship 2026. Venue TBC.

The Championship will be held in strict accordance with the World Latte Art Rules and Regulations, NZ Code of Conduct and NZ Champions Terms and Conditions, and other rules pertaining to the event.

Event Overview

The Aotearoa Latte Art Championship 2025 highlights artistic expression in a competition platform that challenges the barista in an on-demand performance.

The Aotearoa Championship 2025 comprises two separate rounds: a preliminary round and a final round.

The preliminary round will take place on stage eight (8) minutes, where two identical free-pour lattes and two identical designer lattes are produced.

The highest-scoring six competitors will compete in the final round entirely on stage for eleven (11) minutes. In the final of this championship, the baristas present two identical samples of ‘art in a cup’ for three different beverages: two separate sets of matching free-pour lattes and one set of matching designer pattern lattes (which may incorporate etching, or similar techniques, and surface decoration).

The first two pours will be made only with a jug of milk. The designer latte can be made with any surface aid at the choice of the barista. To ensure that the presented art is what the barista intends to deliver, the judges will be given a photo of the intended design prior to the start of the presentation. Artistic impressions of the design are allowed alongside the image (photo) but the photo shall be the point of reference to the judges scoring.

The beverages will be judged immediately for visual attributes, creativity, identical patterns in the pairs, the contrast in the patterns, and the barista's overall performance.

Event Overview Structure

This competition takes place over a day and consists of a preliminary round and a final round. Each competitor competes in the preliminary round, and then the top six will compete again in a finals round to determine the winner with the highest score, who becomes The Aotearoa Latte Art Champion 2024. Please note that this is only a summary description of the event and that the detailed structure and rules for this competition are set forth in and controlled by the Official Rules and Regulations.

Competitors will need to be onsite at the venue for the main briefing at 7 am sharp before the start of the championship.

Provided on stage, compulsory use:

Machines La Marzocco Mini Linea x 2, 17gram baskets

Grinder Hey Cafe Buddy

Coffee TBC

Cups Acme Cup Co Tasters Large

Dimensions:
Outside diameter: 105mm
Base diameter: 49mm
Height: 74mm
Volume: 310ml

Milk Meadow Fresh Original

View the Rules and Regulations here>

New Zealand Code of Conduct and competition rules and regulations agreement>

Many thanks to our confirmed sponsors to date:

Principal Sponsor: Meadow Fresh

Event Sponsors: La Marzocco, AMC Roastery Supply NZ, Cafetto, Acme CupCo, Oatly.

Please view the NZSCA ticketing terms & conditions >