The 2025 Aotearoa Barista Champs will take place from 23 to 24 August, with the winner set to represent New Zealand at the 2026 World Barista Championships in Panama.
Last year’s runner-up Bonnie Lam from The Coffee Dojo in Wanaka and two-time winner Hiroko Hanna Teramoto representing Mojo Coffee in Auckland lead a stacked field of 11 competitors taking part in the event at the Whirinaki Whare Taonga Centre in Upper Hutt, Wellington.
As part of the voting process, fans can vote for The People’s Champion, with the winner to be announced on Saturday 23 August, right before the event’s top six finalists are announced.
“From precision pours to next-level flavour, this is where skill meets stage,” says the New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association (NZSCA).
“Regional champions, runner-ups, and open ticketed competitors will go head-to-head for the national crown – and a chance to represent Aotearoa on the world stage. Expect two days of high energy, tight competition, good vibes, and incredible coffee.”
The champion, in addition to earning the opportunity to represent New Zealand in Panama next year, will also take home a prize pot of NZ$2000, with the runner-up and third-place finisher to be awarded NZ$1000 and NZ$500 respectively.
Mojo Coffee’s Joshua Peacocke will kick off proceedings when he takes to the stage at 10am on Saturday, before the first day of competition is rounded out by Tufele Timothy Tavite from Strictly Coffee Roasters.
The six finalists will then move onto the second day of competition on the Sunday.
