Aotearoa Barista Champs 2025

Ticket sales will open Monday the 28th April for all. 

Entry: Places to compete, member company $400 + GST & Non-Member $500 + GST

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This the main Barista Championship will occur in October, four months after the regional events. You do not have to enter via the regional feeder events, however, positions to compete will be restricted to the top four in each region. They will take precedence in the competitor list if they choose to compete.

Each regional Champion will secure a space to compete in the national event as part of their prize package.

Places second to fourth will have reserved positions, their regional positions cover half of their entry fee. As a regional place-getter, you still need to enter via this channel before the entry opening. Further details on how to enter will follow the regional event.

Who will take the crown of Aotearoa Barista Champion 2025? This truly is the main event for Baristas in New Zealand.

The winner will represent NZ at the World Barista Championship 2026. Flights and accommodation will be covered as part of the champion's prize.

The People's Champion will win all the bragging rights, assorted goodies, and a bar tab.

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The World Barista Championship organization (WBC) has licensed The New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association (NZSCA) to run the New Zealand Barista Championships since 2008 into the future.

The NZSCA is committed to running the event in close accordance with WBC standards. Our focus is on producing a field of finalists capable of competing successfully at an international level, and of course, a winner who can excel at the world finals.

If you are keen to compete, there are a few things you should consider. Running to the WBC standards is time-consuming and means we can put only 20 contestants through in a day. If there are more than 20 entrants for the championship, we will conduct a selection process, awarding entry to those competitors we consider best able to excel in competition conditions. Information provided by entrants at the time of entry is essential to help us make a sound selection.

Dates and venue: Whirinaki Whare Toanga Arts and Entertainment Centre, 836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt

Saturday 23 August – National heats

Sunday 24 August – Final

Competitors, trainers, mentors, and judges, ensure you read the WBC Rules, Scoresheets, and Code of Conduct.

Machines: La Marzocco two group.  Per the rules, the two group machines' temperatures are set at the mid-point between 90.5 - 96c. The baskets are 17g La Marzocco precision baskets. Other than the practice times that will be noted on the schedule, there are no practice times available or time on the machine on-site or in the Wellington region.

Grinders: TBC

Full rules and regulations:

Code of Conduct and NZBC Rules.

WBC 2025 Rules will be used

Follow updates of the championship on Facebook, Instagram, and our newsletters

Any questions regarding the champs? Contact emma@nzsca.org at 021 415 810

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The NZ Barista Championship 2024 is kindly supported by:

Principle Sponsor: Meadow Fresh

Sponsors: La Marzocco, AMC, Acme Cup Co, Cafetto, Monin, MILKLAB

The schedule:

• Friday 22: 10 am - 4 pm Judge's calibration, (invitation only) on-site
• Friday 22: 4 pm Competitor briefing, on-site
• Saturday 23: 8 am - 5 pm (8:30 am Stage performance starts) TBC based on final numbers
• 4 pm (approx.) announcement of finalists debrief for competitors not continuing
• Sunday 24: 10:30 am - 3 pm Final
• 4:30 pm (approx.) Announcement of Champion

Please view the NZSCA ticketing terms & conditions here>