Regionals Dates ’25: Christchurch, Sunday 30 March, and Auckland, Sunday 13 April
We’re excited to return our pared-down Barista events to the regions in 2025.
Regional Winners Prize Pack
The journey to the top comes with some exciting rewards! Here’s what’s up for grabs 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.
All Competitors
Sweet Goodie bags, loaded with treats from all our sponsors!
Regional People’s Champion
- Meadow Fresh: $500 Cash
People’s Champion is now launched!
Vote for your favourite Tāmaki Makaurau Barista!
Get ready to showcase your barista skills. With these fantastic prizes, it’s going to be an unforgettable journey to the Nationals!
Updated 2025 rules V4 27 February 25>
Baristas, do you have delicious coffee? Would you like to showcase your skills by serving four delightful espresso drinks and four milk-based beverages while delivering renowned customer service? Once again, three regional titles will be up for grabs, with prizes to be confirmed. ENTRY NOW CLOSED.
We’ll provide everything you need—a machine, grinder, milk, cups, spoons, and even milk jugs and tampers. Don’t worry about table decorations; it’s all about the coffee.
Mā te wā.
When?
Sunday 30 March
C4, 113 Fitzgerald Ave, Christchurch/Ōtautahi.
L-R Nico Refiti, Alan Bruce, and Jared Rendell | Photo credit Megan Wyper
What a fantastic weekend to start the Ōtautahi Regional Barista Champs ’25! Congratulations to all our competitors; you made us all so proud!
Here are your top four:
Champion: Alan Bruce, Acme CupCo.
Runner up: Nico Refiti, Cofinet.
Third place: Jared Rendell, C4 Coffee Co.
Fourth place: Jordan Reid, Vanguard Specialty Coffee Co.
The People’s Champion, Nick Schryvers, Victus Cafe, Nelson
We’ll see you at the Upper Hutt Nationals in August.
Competitors so far:
Luke Powell, who is new to competing Representing: Vanguard Specialty Coffee Co. in Dunedin. Bio: After an insight on what specialty is all about back in 2014 I’ve always wanted to dig more into the world of coffee. I’ve been able to work at high standard to high volume cafes and now it’s time to bring it all to the table.
Jordan Reid He’s back in the Barista event after making his debut last year, and we’re excited to see what he brings to the table this time around! Representing: Vanguard Specialty Coffee Co. in Dunedin. Bio: I am passionate about all things coffee and the competition gives me the opportunity to push myself further, outside my comfort zone and learn new skills.
James Evison competed last year but says it was all a blur! Representing: Vivace, Christchurch. Bio: I have been working in and around coffee for 20-plus years and competing is a great way to get outside of your comfort zone and challenge yourself! Last year was my first time competing, I have learned a lot from that experience and I want to kick on and try to raise the bar!
Rob Bangham is a new competitor in NZ but has competed at two Norwich UK competitions where he placed first in the identification and fourth in latte art Representing: Victus Coffee & Eatery, Nelson. Bio: I’ve been doing coffee for a decade and have seen a few arcs of trends and developments in the industry. Seeing this new wave is exciting and I want to see what’s brewing and see how my knowledge and skills compare.
Nick Schryvers is new to competition but not to coffee. Representing: Victus Coffee & Eatery, Nelson. Bio: In 2010 I went from a 2 sugars and milk instant coffee drinker to a filter-chugging roaster in the space of about 3 months, after stumbling into a production role. Since then I’ve spent most of my adult life working from the back house of the industry to the front, through roasting, sales, training, and everything in between. I’ve always left the competition for the ‘really dedicated’ baristas, but after 15 years, I love coffee more than ever, so I guess I could be classed as pretty dedicated. In my experience, the best way to enjoy coffee more is through education and experience, and entering a competition after all these years will likely bring me both. Best case I can win something; worst case I get to spend a day doing what I love, with people who love it also. Win, win. Coffee up!
Nico Refiti, some of you might have seen him around… Representing: Cofinet Bio: I’ve been visiting cafes since DKD was above the Civic Theatre. Learned to make espresso in an Italian restaurant and make espresso martinis in Melbourne. Drove the length of the North Island in a Black Jeep Wrangler dealing beans and teaching baristas to use a bell jug and spoon. Joined the team of coffeeologists who pioneered the mystical third crack. Infiltrated the New Zealand Specialty Coffee Guild to dismantle it from the inside. Found love at the New Zealand Barista Championships and left the coffee industry. Invented the now famous 50:50 Brazil – Colombia blend. Came back to the coffee industry. Started slinging green with fancy names like “74112”. Reports of my competition’s retirement were greatly exaggerated.
Alan Bruce, some of you may have also heard of this competitor. He’s dusting off his bow tie and Representing: Acme CupCo Bio: Finals 2016, Cup Tasters Champ 2019 & 2020. I’ve worked a lot of different roles in, and alongside, the specialty coffee industry and I believe that competitions like this are great ways to connect and improve your skills and knowledge.
Jessica Halliday has been in coffee in 20 years. Many, many moons ago…. 2011 (4th place, Christchurch regionals), 2013 (9th place overall), along with other barista competitions around that time too Representing: International Antarctic Centre supported by Prima. Bio: FOMO. FOMO is the reason I’m competing. After years in management roles, I miss focusing on the thing that first attracted me to this industry – the coffee.
Jared Rendell is a first-time competitor in barista but rocks a board game too! Representing: C4 Coffee, Christchurch Bio: I like to challenge myself, I think competition and the drive it brings will bring about a new level within myself. And hopefully, it’ll help me meet more people and continue to grow within the NZ coffee community.
March 3 ’25: To ensure these events remain sustainable now and in the future, we require a minimum of 10 competitors per region. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the Wellington event won’t go ahead this time.
This was not a decision we took lightly, and we sincerely appreciate the time and effort many of you have already invested in preparing for this event. We understand that this may be disappointing, and we share that sentiment.
We know how much dedication, preparation, and excitement go into these competitions, and our team will contact those who have registered in Wellington directly to discuss the next steps.
While we’re disappointed, we’re excited to move forward with the Christchurch and Auckland events, and we’d love to see as many of you there as possible—whether competing, judging, volunteering, or cheering from the sidelines.
Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support. We encourage everyone to continue backing the incredible baristas in Wellington, and we look forward to returning to the region for the main event later this year.
Sunday 13 April
Havana HQ, Unit G, 69 Saint Georges Bay Rd, Parnell, Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau.
L-R Renee Kang, Nelson Ik Run Soon, Gong Xuan Yeoh, Moi Yokota
What a fantastic weekend to tie up the Regional Barista Champs ’25! Congratulations to all our competitors; you made us all so proud!
Here are your top four:
Champion: Nelson Ik Run Soon, Starbucks, Auckland
Runner-up: Moi Yokota, Atomic Coffee Roasters, Auckland
Third place: Gong Xuan Yeoh, Society Coffee Roasters, Auckland
Fourth place: Renee Kang, Society Coffee Roasters, Auckland
Congratulations!
Thanks to our hosts, Havana Coffee Works, for a stunning spot, great weather, and coffee you feel. All proceeds from the day were donated to the chosen charity, Sea Cleaners.
Moi Yokota Atomic Coffee Roasters, Auckland, was awarded “The People’s Champion.” Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments on how your barista brightens your day.
A massive ngā mihi/thanks to sponsors, judges, and volunteers.
Upper Hutt, we’re coming for you! Let’s get ready for the Nationals, Saturday and Sunday, 23-24 August at Whirinaki Toanga Whare, Upper Hutt.
Competitors:
Mark Liao has been making coffee for six years, this will be his first time competing in a Barista event Representing: Legend Coffee Roasters Limited, Auckland. Bio: It’s all about the legend journey and legend dream.
Honggu Shin has been making coffee for over ten years, this will be the first time in a barista event. Representing: Handpicked Coffee, Auckland. Bio: Just want to prove myself.
Jay Marshall-Makaea will compete again after joining us last year in the Wellington regional and national event. Representing: McDonald’s Parry Group of Restaurants Bio: I would like to compete to continue broadening my coffee world.
Gong Xuan Yeoh is the President of SCSC (Specialty Coffee Students Committee). He is also the Roastery & Media Assistant Representing Society Coffee. Bio: I’ve worked in the industry for 5 years now, want to see how I stack up in competition and share my message of connection in the industry.
Renee Kang has been a legendary volunteer for a number of our events. We LOVE seeing our baristas level up! Representing: Society Coffee Roasters Bio: I have a passion for coffee and find it interesting to see how coffee taste changes by various elements. I have been working in coffee for a while and possibly starting my career in another industry soon, I’d like to join this competition as a closure for my coffee journey for now.
Nelson Ik Run Soon This will be Nelson’s first time on the Barista stage, but he’s no stranger to competition—having volunteered in all of our championship events last year and even organizing his events in Auckland. Representing: Starbucks NZ Bio: I’m here to challenge myself and dive deeper down the rabbit hole. Come watch my adventure!
Moi Yokota has volunteered at Barista Champs and is now competing. Representing: Atomic Coffee Roasters Bio: I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and gain experience and knowledge through the competition process!
Qiqi He is a new competitor Representing: Eternal Coffee, Auckland Bio: My name is Neil, a passionate coffee professional with 5 years of dedicated experience as a barista. My journey in coffee began behind the espresso machine, where I honed my technical skills and developed a deep appreciation for the craft of coffee preparation. Recently, I’ve expanded my expertise into coffee roasting, allowing me to understand the entire journey from bean to cup. This transition has given me unique insights into how roast profiles affect flavor development and extraction potential. I’m competing in the 2025 Auckland Regional Barista Championship because I believe my combined experience as both barista and roaster gives me a comprehensive understanding of coffee that I’m excited to showcase. My time roasting has transformed how I approach espresso preparation, and I’m eager to demonstrate how this dual perspective influences my competition routine.
Rachel Spradbury is a first-time competitor Representing: Lighthouse Cafe supported by Zephyr Coffee Co Bio: I started working in Melbourne cafes after buying my daily brew, making friends with the baristas and falling in love with the culture. It has truly become a passion. I continued the craft after studying and moving countries. It’s all I really enjoy. I want to enter competitions to further my coffee knowledge and experience something new.
Stefano Benedetti is a sales representative who has been in coffee for 12 years Representing Santos Coffee Roasters Bio: When I was 14 I started my first experience in hospitality, which involved coffee making which I really enjoyed. That was in Italy, coffee was good, but I really started understanding more about it and how it should taste when at 25 years of age I relocated to Melbourne. I’ve mainly worked as a Restaurant Manager, with a strong focus on coffee quality, I then worked for some time as a barista, then for a couple of years, before coming to New Zealand, as an assistant roaster for a small company in Melbourne, focused on specialty coffee and sustainability. I relocated to Auckland last year and chose to work with Santos and its great team. I now decided to challenge myself and leave my comfort zone. I assisted in the Regionals last year and promised to give it a go the following year. HERE I AM!
Joshua Peacocke is a great example of going from volunteer to competitor! Representing: Independant, Auckland. Bio: I want to push myself to be a better coffee person, and to push the industry. It’s a lot of fun and I always learn something about myself.
Saranch (Sam) Raina is a new competitor who has been in coffee for a while and has a great reason for competing. Representing: Graze Cafe, Auckland Bio: I’ve been in the industry for 13 years, and my passion for coffee grows stronger every day. However, the business side has often gotten in my way, preventing me from pursuing my lifelong dream. I feel that now is the right time and that I’m in the right space to move forward with my aspirations. Previously, I didn’t have the resources, industry knowledge, or the support of people who could help me navigate the competition. Now, though, I am in a position where I have the right people to support me. I want to represent coffee on a global stage and make it more accessible to everyone, rather than just a luxury.
Akine Nakashima is a new competitor Representing: Black Antler Eatery supported by Zephyr Coffee Co. Bio: I work serving people coffee every day, and I want to serve them the best quality coffee I possibly can, to make them happy, and to leave them with a smile. So, I want to compete to improve my knowledge and skills and to meet other baristas who share my passion.
Kento Sawai has been in coffee for 5 years Representing: Good Times Coffee, Auckland Bio: I’m Kento from Japan. I want to feel confident in my coffee.
Niivah Purcell has been making coffee for 10 years and is the head barista Representing: We Pour Training, Auckland Bio: Runner up in the North Island Coffee Club Barista Competition. I love the art of making coffee. Competing to gain another level of experience and have fun.
Regional Workshop online Wednesday 26 February> Free for baristas registered before February 17 and compulsory for all judges.
Aotearoa Barista Champs: Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 August ’25
What’s happening?
Baristas, bring your coffee and presentation and serve with great customer service. Coffee will be presented to four sensory judges (two scoring and two guests), one technical judge, and one head judge.
They will have 5 mins to dial in and 11 mins to present.
What about sponsoring?
We are reviewing all sponsorship agreements/tenders as they come in, and once confirmed, they will be announced on the sponsorship page.
Keen to know more about who’s sponsoring so far, and what sponsorship categories are available, please click here>