Aotearoa Latte Art Championship 2025
Pathway to the World Latte Art Championship 2026
Prize Package
The winner will receive flights and accommodation to represent New Zealand at the World Latte Art Championship 2026, held at World of Coffee San Diego, USA. The event will take place from April 10–12, 2026, at the San Diego Convention Center, marking the 20th edition of the global competition. Come on, milk wizards, get in to WIN!
Event Compliance
The event will be held under the following:
- World Latte Art Championship Rules & Regulations
- NZ Code of Conduct
- NZ Champions Terms & Conditions
- Additional event-specific rules as applicable
Event Overview
The Aotearoa Latte Art Championship 2025 is a platform that highlights technical skill and artistic expression in a live performance format.
Preliminary Round:
- 8-minute on-stage performance
- Competitors must present
- One set of free-pour lattes and one set of designer lattes (may include etching, surface aids, or decoration)
- NOTE: The first set of free-pour lattes must be made with Oatly (compulsory requirement)
- The top six scoring competitors will advance to the final round
Final Round:
- 11-minute on-stage performance
- Competitors present three sets of matching latte art:
- Two sets of free-pour lattes and one set of designer lattes (may include etching, surface aids, or decoration)
- Judges will see photos of the intended designs; these photos will serve as the reference for scoring. Artistic impressions may be included, but will not override the reference photo
Judging Criteria:
Visual attributes, Creativity, Consistency of matching pairs, Contrast, Overall presentation, and performance
Competition Day Details
All competitors must be onsite at the venue by 7:00 AM for a mandatory main briefing. The event consists of a preliminary and a final round, with the top scorer crowned Aotearoa Latte Art Champion 2025
Provided On-Stage Equipment (Compulsory Use):
- Espresso Machines: 2 x La Marzocco Linea Mini (17g baskets)
- Grinder: Hey Cafe Buddy
- Coffee: Atomic Supremo
- Milk: Meadow Fresh Original (except for Oatly requirement)
- Alternative Milk: Oatly (compulsory in preliminary round free pour)
- Cups: Acme Cup Co. – Tasters Large
- Outside Diameter: 105 mm
- Base Diameter: 49 mm
- Height: 74 mm
- Volume: 310 ml
Additional Feature: Art Bar-ish Instagram Competition
A separate, social media-based competition will also occur: the Art Bar-ish Instagram Competition, inspired by the global stage’s Art Bar concept.
Each competitor will select their favourite pour, which will be photographed and posted on the NZSCA Instagram account @nzspeccoffee Once all images are live, the public will be invited to vote by liking their favourite design.
The image with the most likes will be crowned the Art Bar-ish Champion, with the winner receiving a trophy, grinder, and other assorted prizes.
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, and Atomic Coffee Roasters.
Please view the NZSCA ticketing terms & conditions >
GET IN TO WIN
Keen to Volunteer? Fill in this form now>
Keen to watch the latte art? FREE Spectator tickets>
Who’s competing?
Olivia Lee, Independent, Hamilton
Ryan Bird, Representing: Frank’s Coffee, Wellington
Daniel Woodhouse, Representing: Grey Roasting Co., Hamilton
Hitoshi Araya, Representing: Frank’s Coffee, Wellington
Yu-Hsin (Dennis) Hsush, Representing: Demi Cafe Hamilton
John Huang, Representing: Demi Cafe Hamilton
Bill Zheng, Independent, Auckland
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Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou ngā hāpori tautoko ki tēnei kaupapa
A massive thank you to all of our generous supporters:
Meadow Fresh via Goodman Fielder
Principal Sponsor & Fresh Milk Sponsor: three-year 2024/25/26
At Meadow Fresh, we believe that great coffee starts with the best ingredients. As “The Milk Behind the Masters,” we take pride in offering the highest quality milk products that perfectly complement the coffee. We understand that every element is important in crafting a truly delicious cup, and because of this, we are committed to being a trusted partner of the New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association, supporting the talented baristas, roasters, and coffee enthusiasts who are pushing the boundaries of coffee culture in Aotearoa.
Espresso Machinery Sponsor: three-year 2024/25/26
We love supporting our industry and coffee community in New Zealand, for this reason La Marzocco has long been associated with specialty coffee and the places that care deeply for the quality of the coffee served.
The championship machine is the Linea Mini, which has all the performance of a professional machine yet is a cute domestic machine that brings café-quality coffee to home, work, and smaller hospo spots.
La Marzocco delivers real innovation in espresso machines, and none more so than back in 1939 when we patented and made the first espresso machine with horizontal boilers, which is now an industry standard.
This was a game changer and our horizontal boiler design improved workflow, speed of service and provided baristas with an endless supply of steam to ensure perfectly textured milk.
To this day we still make beautifully designed machines with careful consideration of what baristas need, which is why La Marzocco celebrates excellence in coffee as the machine sponsor the Latte Art Championship.
We love to support people willing to compete and showcase their skills in using our espresso machines regardless of their experience or background, and hope to make competitions accessible to all as a sponsor.
Hey Cafe via AMC Roastery Supply
Grinder Sponsor: three years 2024/25/26
By now you will hopefully know AMC Roastery Supply as the place to get your Hey Cafe, Mahlkoenig, Ditting and Anfim grinders, thanks to our long-standing sponsorship of the New Zealand Coffee Championships. But did you know that our parent company is a third-generation family-owned business that was first registered in 1950 by Alec Clubb, a canny ex-pat Scot who began importing coffee equipment in the 1960’s?
So, if you need to “Grind It, or Brew It” you should give Emma, Dave, or Greg a call. Go on, you know you want to!
Cleaning Supplies: three-year 2024/25/26
Cafetto is a specialist manufacturer of coffee machine cleaning products. Our philosophy is cleaning products for all machine types and users.
After 21 years of being part of the coffee industry, we take great pride in doing our bit to support the incredible baristas putting their passion for coffee craft front and centre. We’re honoured to be trusted with providing the cleaning products that help with producing the champion-worthy coffee.
Being part of NZSCA is a partnership we take great pride in, and we wish everyone competing the very best of luck.
Cafetto clean, a clean for every machine
Plant-based milk Sponsor: single year 2025
We’re proud to support the NZ Latte Art Champs because it celebrates the craft and creativity that drive this industry forward. These events bring the coffee community together, raise the standard of quality, and spotlight the skill behind every cup. At Oatly, we’re not just here with a great product — we’re here to champion the people who make this scene what it is: the baristas. Find us there to fuel the froth, celebrate the talent, and cheer on every pour.
Ceramic Sponsor: three years 2024/25/26
Acme has partnered with the NZSCA events since the company was founded 12 years ago. Supporting those who choose Speciality Coffee as their career and are passionate about our community is 100% our jam. Acme is owned by coffee professionals who are passionate about designing products for coffee professionals and enthusiasts. We use our 30+ years in the industry to design and create products using our experience and the design principles of form and function. Co-owners Megan and Paddy absolutely love this industry and community; they wish this year’s competitors and the teams behind them all the best!
Coffee Sponsor: single year 2025.
Atomic Coffee Roasters has been working with quality-focused cafes and baristas for more than 30 years, sourcing exclusive single origins and creatively crafting complex blends from our Kingsland roastery.
We always have the barista’s back. Whether we’re lending our expertise to train them to be the best they can behind the machine, or helping them achieve their competition goals, we love to be a part of their coffee journey, support them as they hone their craft, and champion their goals and dreams.
We are proud to be the coffee sponsor of the 2025 NZ Latte Art Championship, celebrating our local community and shining a light on the many talents that compose it.
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