Brewers Cup and Cup Tasters info now released! 

Aotearoa Cup Tasters Championship ‘26 

Aotearoa Cup Tasters Championship ‘26 

3rd May 2026 | 9am
42 Airedale Street, The Tuesday Club Akl
No Spectator tickets required, please come along on the day and cheer the competitors on!

 

The Cup Tasters Championship is a fast-paced sensory competition that tests speed, accuracy, and focus under pressure. This event strips coffee back to its core. Taste, identify, decide. No distractions. No second guesses. TRUST YOUR GUT!  

  • Ticket release: 10 February 2026 CLOSED
  • Volunteers: Registration CLOSED

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Pathway to the World Coffee Championship 

The 2026 Aotearoa Cup Tasters Champion will represent our country at the 2027 World Cup Tasters Championship. Flights and accommodation are covered, thanks to the support of our sponsors and competitor entry fees.  

The 2027 World Cup Tasters Championship location to be confirmed by World Coffee Championships.  

Competition Governance 

The New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association holds the official licence for the national Cup Tasters Championship. The competition is delivered in strict accordance with World Coffee Championships rules and standards. 

About the Competition Format 

Competitors must identify the odd cup in each set as quickly and accurately as possible.  

Each match consists of: 

  • Eight sets of three cups 
  • One cup in each set containing a different coffee, pick the odd one out 

Competitors are ranked based on a combination of their accuracy and time, and the highest ranking will progress to a final round where the champion will be crowned. Every round is decided on the spot, and results are immediate. 

 

Important Competitor Information 

  • Full schedules will be released closer to the event 
  • All Competitors must read the Code of Conduct to be signed on the day 

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Thanks to our generous sponsors who make this competition possible:  

Sponsors: 

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Competitor information:

 

Megan Murphy Representing: Mojo Coffee

Noa Ishigaki Representing: Holiday

Katie Knight Representing: Little Grump

Jana Kettnerova Representing: Ffocee Coffee Roasters

Christian Brendorfer Representing: Holiday

Chris Britnell Representing: Your Local Coffee Roasters

Moses Lim; Independent

Yejun Shim Representing: Slow Koi

Shintaro Tanaka Independent

Isaac Choi Representing: Rumours Coffee

Danny Lee Representing: Parable House

YJ Huang Representing: Eternal Coffee

Tongtong Liu Representing: The Tasting Room

Alex He Representing: The Tasting Room

Jaye Sanders Representing: Entropy Coffee, Firsthand Coffee

Haobo Tong Representing: Tourist Coffee

John Huang Representing: Demi Cafe

Dove Chen Representing:Grey Roasting Co.

Hannah Clarkson Representing: Starbucks New Zealand

Joshua Kim Representing: Holiday

Otavio Augusto Gallina de Abreu Representing: Roma Coffee Roasters

Oliver Chen Representing: Flight Coffee Hangar

Masayo Saburi Representing: rüdi’s

Jana Kettnerova  Representing: Aoraki Coffee Roaster

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Thanks to our incredibly generous sponsors for their support:

Principal: John Burton Limited

Founded in 1985 by the visionary John Burton, this family-owned New Zealand business stands out as the country’s top supplier of green coffee beans. With a mission to make exceptional coffee accessible to roasters of all sizes, they genuinely cherish the connections they nurture with both customers and suppliers. Family values remain central to their operations.

 

 

Grinder: AMC Roastery Supply –Ditting 807 Shop grinder

“Grind It… Brew It!” By now you will hopefully know AMC Roastery Supply as the place to get your Mahlkönig, Ditting, and Hey Cafe grinders, thanks to our 18 + year-long sponsorship of the New Zealand Coffee Championships.

And if you have been paying closer attention, you will also know we are the place to go for you Fetco filter brewers, and Brew-Rite coffee filters. Sixty years after Alec Clubb – a canny ex-pat Scot – first started importing coffee brewing equipment, our third-generation family-owned and run business has assembled an enviable stable of the best-performing equipment brands in each market segment we have expanded into.

We like to sell solutions, not headaches, and back them up with expert product knowledge, local spare parts, technical training, and support. We also like to give back to the industry that we operate in, which is why we have gladly sponsored the various New Zealand Coffee Championships for such a long time.

And remember, if you need to “Grind It, or Brew It” then give Emma, Dave, or Greg at AMCRS a call. Go on, you know you want to!

 

Roasting sponsor: Eighthirty  

Since 2009, we’ve been roasting high-quality, specialty coffee. We’ve learnt a thing or two. In the early days of eighthirty, it was just a crew of two roasting out of a small shop on Karangahape Rd, Auckland.

Now, we are a well-established specialty coffee roaster, loved by the forever-growing community and partners. Roasting this year’s coffees on their Loring

 

Ceramics/Porcelain: Acme Cup Co – Cupping bowls

We’re strong believers that the hospitality industry is one of the best industries to work in and want to champion those who see their future in this industry. The NZBC is a brilliant event that gives baristas an opportunity to not only showcase their skills but also gives them a platform to learn and engage with the industry.

This year marks our 12th year of sponsoring the NZSCA events, we’re so incredibly honoured to be able to give back to the community that supports not only Acme but also its co-owners, Megan and Paddy, and their careers in Speciality Coffee. Have we mentioned that we love Speciality coffee? Cause we do

Designed for NZ Cafe Culture — Designed with every kind of drinker in mind. Espresso, latte, flat white, drip, tea & more. Used by World Champion Baristas, home brewers, tea drinkers & everyone in between.

 

Cleaning Sponsor: Cafetto
Cafetto stands out for its focus on reliability and trust. It goes beyond standard cleaning products by offering solutions that are globally certified, giving users confidence in both performance and environmental responsibility. Proud cleaning sponsors, making sure that all equipment is cleaned to the highest standard possible

 

 

 

Sponsor: Ārepa

Developed by neuroscientists with clinically researched ingredients, this is a drink for everyone with a brain. ⁺Drinking Ārepa reduces tiredness and fatigue and helps with normal psychological and neurological function thanks to the high Vitamin C content in our Neuroberry⁺® Blackcurrants as part of a healthy and varied diet. Great for when you can’t drink anymore coffee!

 

 

 

Espresso machine sponsor: La Marzocco

Since 1927, La Marzocco has been handcrafting espresso machines in Florence, Italy, building a legacy that has shaped specialty coffee around the world. For us, coffee is more than craft, it’s community. That’s why we’re proud to support the New Zealand Cup Tasters Competition and the passionate people across Aotearoa who pursue excellence in every cup.

 

Prize Sponsors: First Cup We’re proud to have First Cup on board as a prize sponsor. They’re New Zealand’s exclusive distributor of MHW-3Bomber, a brand that’s quietly become a favourite among serious home brewers and competition-level baristas alike. The kind of gear that makes you slow down and actually think about what you’re doing.

Their range covers everything from precision espresso tools and pour-over kit through to travel brewing and drinkware. Beautifully made, thoughtfully designed stuff. And if you’re keen to sharpen your technique, their Pour Programme offers small-group, hands-on barista classes focused on extraction, milk texture, and the kind of repeatable results that actually matter.

First Cup is for people who care about getting it right from the very first cup.

 

 

Sponsor: Brand Display

Brand Display is a New Zealand-owned and operated company, delivering premium signage and branded display solutions for over 10 years. We specialise in helping cafés and hospitality venues elevate their presence with high-quality signage, custom umbrellas, and branding that invites potential patrons. You name it, we brand it. Our experienced team provides practical advice to achieve standout results within your budget

 

Event partner(s): : Meadow Fresh

While there’s no milk on the brew bar, we have plenty of passion for the industry. Meadow Fresh is proud to be an event partner of the 2026 Cup Tasters Championships. We have partnered with the NZSCA for over 10 years, supporting craftsmanship, community, and specialty coffee in every way we can.

 

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