Get excited, the regionals are happening again in 2025!

All updates here>

Ticket sales will close 28th February. If we don’t have the numbers, we won’t go ahead… We need a minimum of 10 competitors per region.

Need to know more? Check out the info pack HERE>

Entry: Places to compete, member company $200 inc GST & Non-Member $250 inc GST

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 with half of their entry fee covered by their regional placings. As a regional place-getter, you still need to enter via this channel before the entry opening. As a regional place-getter, we will be in touch following the regional event to get you to nationals. Previous NZ Barista champions may compete at a regional event, but shall not rank or be legible for any prizes within the regions.The same ruling applies to the second and third placegetters in the 2024 Aotearoa Barista Championship.

What’s happening for Barista Champs

We are bringing you parred-down Barista events to the regions in March/April. Get out your 2025 calendars, there are more events for baristas than ever!

The big event to showcase all that talent, The Aotearoa New Zealand Barista Champs will be held on Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 August 2025 at Whirinaki Expressions, Upper Hutt.

What are the regionals about?

We are breaking down the barriers to entry by focusing on what baristas know. It’s all about knowing your coffee and serving it with great customer service. No signature drink is required in the regions, just espresso and milk beverages.

You bring your coffee and presentation. We will provide the machine, grinder, milk, cups, spoons, even the milk jugs, and tamper if you need them. Table decoration and all the other stuff are actively discouraged. Baristas may bring menus to assist in describing their coffee, however, this still needs to be verbalised during the competition time.

Similar to the main event you will have to pour four (4) x espresso and four (4) x milk beverages to two (2) scoring sensory judges and two (2) guest non-scoring sensory judges, one (1) technical judge, and a one (1) head judge. All competitors will receive a full debrief on their performances to set them up for the main event. You don’t have to go on to compete in the main event, but we would love to see you there!

You will have 5 mins to dial in and 11 mins to present.

Ticket sales will close 28th February. If we don’t have the numbers, we won’t go ahead… We need a minimum of 10 competitors per region.

Regional Winners Prize Pack

The journey to the top comes with some exciting rewards! Here’s what’s up for grabs so far, for our talented regional champions:

1st Place – Regional Champion

Trophy & Bragging Rights: You’re the regional champ – wear that title with pride!
Free Entry to the National Championship in August – your spot is reserved!
La Marzocco: $200 Prezi card for the regional champion to treat yourself!
Acme Cupco: $100 Wellington restaurant voucher.
Meadow Fresh: $1500 Cash

2nd Place – Runner-Up

Reserved Spot for Nationals in August with 50% off your entry fee!
Meadow Fresh: $750 Cash

3rd Place

Reserved Spot for Nationals in August with 50% off your entry fee!
Meadow Fresh: $500 Cash

4th Place

Reserved Spot for Nationals in August with 50% off your entry fee!

Regional People’s Champion

Meadow Fresh: $500

All Competitors

Sweet Goodie bags, loaded with treats from all our sponsors!

Additional Prizes from Our Partners:

Are still coming in… Watch this space!

Get ready to showcase your barista skills, because with these amazing prizes, it’s going to be one unforgettable journey to the Nationals!

Full Rules and Regulations for regional events> V4 Feb 27 update

Sensory Scoresheet Regional>

Technical Scoresheet Regional>

Regional workshop Wednesday 26 February 2025> free for competitors registered prior

When is it all happening?

Aotearoa Barista Champs ’25 Regionals Dates:

C4, 113 Fitzgerald Ave, Christchurch/Ōtautahi, Sunday 30 March

L'affare Roastery, 102/104 Adelaide Road, Mount Cook, Wellington/Te Whanganui a Tara, Sunday 6 April

Havana HQ, Unit G, 69 Saint Georges Bay Rd, Parnell, Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau, Sunday 13 April

Aotearoa Barista Champs ’25

Whirinaki Whare Taonga, 836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt / Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta

Saturday 23 August – Round one

Sunday 24 August – Final

The judge’s calibration and set-up will be held the day before each event.

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The main Barista Championship will take place later in 2025 four months after the regional events. You do not have to enter via the regional feeder events though positions to compete will be restricted as the top four in each regional will earn a place in the barista lineup if they choose to compete.

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

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

The People's Champion: all the bragging rights, assorted goodies, and a bar tab, for the people's favourite.

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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 from 2008 onwards.

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. 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. This means the information entrants provide us at the time of entry is particularly important to help us make a sound selection.

Competitors, trainers, mentors, and judges, make sure you read up on the WBC Rules, Scoresheets, and Code of Conduct.

Full rules and regulations:

Code of Conduct and NZBC Rules>

WBC Rules 2024>

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 2025 is kindly supported by:

Principle Sponsor: Meadow Fresh

Machinery: La Marzocco NZ, Linea Mini with shot timers

Grinder: Hey Cafe Buddy

Syrup: MONIN

Cleaning Supplies: Cafetto

Equipment: AMC Roastery Supply

Ceramics/Porcelain: Acme Cup Co

Barista tools: Regional supporter: C4 Coffee

Plant-based milk: MILKLAB

Event partners: Open

Regional Venue Host Sponsors:

C4, 113 Fitzgerald Ave, Christchurch/Ōtautahi, Sunday 30 March

L'affare Roastery, 102/104 Adelaide Road, Mount Cook, Wellington/Te Whanganui a Tara, Sunday 6 April

Havana HQ, Unit G, 69 Saint Georges Bay Rd, Parnell, Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau, Sunday 13 April

Please view the NZSCA code of conduct ticketing terms and conditions here>