In a world-first, these judges are judging using the very freshest World Barista Champion rules so we thank them for their time commitment and dedication in helping make our Championship world-class.
David Huang, Society Coffee Roasters, Auckland
Insta: @ka.fe.dave official curator of @societycoffee.nz
Badly describe your job:
Monday: roasting, packing, and delivery, sitting in the traffic jam and ringing up customers, and talking everything about coffee
Tuesday: roasting, packing, and doing a tech service or site check-up while delivering coffee, continue to sit in a traffic jam and ring up “maybe” customers and talk anything but coffee
Wednesday: sit in front of the computer going through email & invoices and write random web/social media rants about coffee
Thursday: tools box is out and fix anything and everything that is broken in the roastery
Friday: roasting, packing, and cupping what we roasted this week while twiddling my thumb wondering who is gonna pay whom.
Saturday: work on the family farm laying down coffee sacks and coffee chaffs as mulch for vege and fruit. Chop down trees and mow down brushes while at it.
Sunday: get ready for another week and ponder how I should preach the gospel of coffee.
How long have you been in the game? since y2k, wait, which game are we referring to?
Why do you judge? Because I get to peek inside the brain of a barista and learn through others.
Song that best describes you: currently, it is Mandalorian from Mandalorian.
What else do you like to judge? I have grown a fascination towards judging how Auckland transport spends the rates that I paid.
If not coffee, what? Traffic & EV, I am becoming a true Aucklander.
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot: hot
Cat’s or Dog’s: cats
Technical or Sensory: sensory
Miley or Dolly: Who is Miley or Dolly? Let me ask ChatGP first
Dairy or Plant-based: KFC
Sparky Ye, Kōkako Organic Coffee, Auckland
Insta: @yesparky
Describe your job: Roastery Assistant and Barista
How long have you been in the game? 12 year’s a barista, 2.5 years working with Kōkako
Why do you judge? upgrade my coffee knowledge, and meet up with people who love coffee.
Song that best describes you: I believe I can fly
What else do you like to judge? Food.
If not coffee, what? maybe florist?
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot: iced
Cat’s or Dog’s: dog’s
Technical or Sensory: sensory
Miley or Dolly: neither
Dairy or Plant-based: dairy
Richard Corney, Flight Coffee, Wellington
Insta: @richard.corney
Badly describe your job: Constantly managing sustainable damage whilst avoiding catastrophic failure.
How long have you been in the game? 17 years.
Why do you judge? I’ve learned so much from so many incredible people in coffee competitions over the last 10 years, I’m still learning. Judging is the opportunity for me to give back to the community I’ve learned so much from and share my experiences. I also really enjoy the non-partisan nature of competitions. At the end of the day, we’re a bunch of people from all over our industry coming together to help find a national champion. There’s a camaraderie that does with it that’s really enjoyable.
Song that best describes you: Never going to give you up, by Rick Astley.
What else do you like to judge? Pipe band Competitions…
If not coffee, what? Cheese
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot: Hot
Cat’s or Dog’s: Dogs
Technical or Sensory: Sensory
Miley or Dolly: Dolly
Dairy or Plant-based: Dairy
YJ Huang, Mojo Coffee, Auckland
Insta: @Da_YJH
Badly describe your job: Making sure caffeine is in people’s blood systems. Put a few smiles and repeat.
How long have you been in the game? 4 years
Why do you judge? I think judging will help me learn more about the competition itself.
Song that best describes you: kiss me more- Doja Cat, SZA
What else do you like to judge? Hopefully, get to judge on the world stage one day.
If not coffee, what? Oh dang..hmmm. Cocktails and whisky neat for suuuurre.
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot hot
Cat’s or Dog’s I like both
Technical or Sensory slightly leaning towards sensory
Miley or Dolly Miley
Dairy or Plant-based Dairy
Michalina Sujewicz, Opal Green Coffee, Christchurch
Insta: @coffee_that_gives_a_puck
Badly describe your job: I record myself spilling (green) beans all over the floor to then make an Instagram post about it with many spelling mistakes in my captions (and dat’s not iven a lie)
How long have you been in the game? For the last 5 years, I’ve been saying that I’ve been working in coffee for 3 years now.
Why do you judge? I would love to have this unique chance to try potentially one of the best coffees in the country and be inspired by passionate baristas. I also just love coffee events and the spirit of the coffee community 
Song that best describes you: Not really a song, but 4 Seasons Vivaldi is the closest (I have many personalities I think)
What else do you like to judge? people, when they don’t leave the supermarket trolleys in the designated area but just dump them wherever (WHYYYYY!!!???)
If not coffee, what? Dancing.
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot Iced
Cat’s or Dog’s Dogs
Technical or Sensory Sensory
Miley or Dolly I CAN’T LIVE A LIE, RUNNING FOR MY LIFE, I WILL ALWAYS WANT BOTH OF THEM.
Dairy or Plant-based PLANT BASED 
Jaye Sanders, Firsthand Coffee Roasters, Hawke’s Bay
Insta: @yourlocalbaristanz
Badly describe your job: I put small green things into a big hot thing, which makes green things brown and people grind them to make a liquid drink.
How long have you been in the game? A wee while now. About 13 years.
Why do you judge? Why do you? Cause without judging there wouldn’t be growth. To some extent.
Song that best describes you: I wish I was. Punk Rocker (With Flowers in my hair) by Sandi Thom.
What else do you like to judge? I like to judge music. I’m very judgy and have a huge range that I judge on.
If not coffee, what? What’s the point if not?
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot. Hot
Cat’s or Dog’s. Dog’s
Technical or Sensory. Sensory
Miley or Dolly. Miley
Dairy or Plant-based. Filter
Benji Taiaroa, FEOH, Northland
Insta: @benjitaiaroa
Badly describe your job: I make & drink brown stuff
How long have you been in the game? I started a couple of years before Hanna won her first Barista Championship.
Why do you judge? It’s an honour to be up close and watch baristas display their hard work and passion, as well as continue to learn and grow in the industry.
Song that best describes you: Overthinker / INZO
What else do you like to judge? mums cooking
If not coffee, what? Alcohol
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot: Hot
Cat’s or Dog’s: Dogs
Technical or Sensory: Sensory
Miley or Dolly: Who’s dolly?
Dairy or Plant-based: Chicken milk?
Josie Cheng, Return Coffee, Hong Kong
Insta: @simily_2018
Describe your job: Being a Specialty Coffee Educate field for over 10 years, SCA AST, Q-grader, and judge in the industry.
How long have you been in the game? Being judges since 2013, it’s been 10 years.
Why do you judge? It’s just a self-learning part in the very beginning. But after 1st judge experience, I realized that judges have a responsibility to the competitors, and have to respect their hard work and feedback accordingly by us. And we can promote and makes the specialty coffee industry better and better with the competitor together.
Song that best describes you: Cute & beautiful Coffee Ladies 
What else do you like to judge Brewer’s Cup
Quickfire questions:
Dog’s N/A
Sensory
Dairy or Plant-based N/A
Ken Shi Aoraki Coffee Roaster, Hampton Downs Waikato
Insta: ken.shi.125
Badly describe your job: 24/7, coffee roasting business from Monday to Friday plus motorsports park cafe and events business 7 days in a row.
How long have you been in the game? Over 15 years.
Why do you judge? Finding our national barista champion and our first world champion!
Song that best describes you: My kind of Scene – Powderfinger
What else do you like to judge? Karaoke
If not coffee, what? Yogost
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot: Warm
Cat’s or Dog’s: Dog ( Three live with us now, and more are on the way…)
Technical or Sensory: Sensory
Miley or Dolly: Are they family?
Dairy or Plant-based: Tasty oat milk
Andrew Feldon, Mouthwater Coffee Company, Palmerston North, Manawatu
Insta: Kiwicoffeeman
Badly describe your job: I work in a box with a team to serve crushed-up bean soup for people who keep coming back to see us, as well as beans for others to make their own soup.
How long have you been in the game? Whispers….19 years…. I’m not old enough for that right?? Right….?
Why do you judge? So many reasons… paying it forward- the amount I have learnt by being involved in comps is huge! And the lifelong friends and relationships I have had the privilege of discovering I will be forever grateful.
Song that best describes you: Wonky Donkey?
What else do you like to judge? Chocolate…. Delicious chocolate… (if anyone wants to pay me to do so DM me…)
If not coffee, what? Hmm not sure.. something crafty
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot – hot
Cat’s or Dog’s – dogs
Technical or Sensory – tech baby!
Miley or Dolly – Dolly
Dairy or Plant-based – dairy
Luise Metelka, Flight Coffee, Wellington
Insta: @wanderluise
Badly describe your job: I am a plate and problem juggler
How long have you been in the game? Since 2015
Why do you judge? Would love to learn more about the other side of the competition!
Song that best describes you: Pokerface by Lady Gaga
What else do you like to judge? What people have in their shopping cart at the supermarket.
If not coffee, what? Negroni.
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot – 
Cat’s or Dog’s- Dogs!!
Technical or Sensory – sensory
Miley or Dolly – Dolly!!
Dairy or Plant-based – sorry world, but dairy!
Kammie Hui, Hushush Coffee, Hong Kong
Insta: @hushush_hk
Describe your job: I roast and run two cafes and bars.
How long have you been in the game? Over 16 years.
Why do you judge? Because it’s always a great show and experience.
Song that best describes you: how deep?
What else do you like to judge? Seeing friends
If not coffee, what? Cocktails & good food
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot. – Hot
Cat’s or Dog’s. – Definitely cats now
Technical or Sensory – Sensory
Miley or Dolly. – Miley
Dairy or Plant-based – Dairy
David Green L’affare, Wellington
Insta: @coffeeguydave
Badly describe your job: specialist in turning solid brown objects into delicious black beverages
How long have you been in the game? Grinders had dosers and built-in tampers
Why do you judge? To support baristas and watch first-hand how they evolve our industry. Grinders no longer have dosers, or tampers!
Song that best describes you: Everybody loves the sunshine – Roy Ayers Ubiquity
What else do you like to judge? Hamburgers
If not coffee, what? Booze
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot: hot
Cat’s or Dog’s: allergic but dogs
Technical or Sensory – where the need is greatest
Miley or Dolly – love Dolly but Miley
Dairy or Plant-based – black all-day
Kerry Murray, L’affare, Wellington
Badly describe your job: Have meetings and look at Spread Sheets
How long have you been in the game? 20 odd years?
Why do you judge? To give back, have tasty coffee and the biscuits
Song that best describes you: Dead of Night by Orville Peck
What else do you like to judge? So so much….
If not coffee, what? Tea? Gin?
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot Hot
Cat’s or Dog’s Cats (but are allergic to them)
Technical or Sensory Sensory
Miley or Dolly Dolly
Dairy or Plant-based Dairy
Chris White, Altura Coffee, Auckland
Badly describe your job: Turn up angry, drink coffee, go home angry, rinse and repeat
How long have you been in the game? In the game or ‘on the game? In the game 43 years only
Why do you judge? Saves being judged…
Song that best describes you: Time after Time
What else do you like to judge? M & M Flavours
If not coffee, what? Wine
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot: Hot
Cat’s or Dog’s: Dogs
Technical or Sensory I swing both ways
Miley or Dolly: Dolly…2 large reasons
Dairy or Plant-based: I’ve milked a cow, never an Almond…..
Emma Markland Webster, AMC Roastery Supply NZ, NZSCA, Monster Trucks Ltd, NZ School of Coffee, Nelson
Insta: @truckeeeemmmma @amcroasterysupply
Badly describe your job: Wake up, make a mess, herd cats, fix issues, rant, give opinions, occasionally answer emails, judge people.
How long have you been in the game? Fark nearly as long as Whitey 🙂 25 +
Why do you judge? To give back to the industry, evolve and learn
Song that best describes you: Bloc Party – The Prayer
What else do you like to judge? Everything! Mostly other people’s social media
If not coffee, what? Cheese
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot warm thanks
Cat’s or Dog’s Both but more cats
Technical or Sensory Sensory for life
Miley or Dolly Dolly
Dairy or Plant-based mmm Dairy
Alan Bruce, Flight Coffee, Wellington
Insta: @theboybruce
Badly describe your job: Turning green stuff brown – telling people how to make their brown stuff taste better.
How long have you been in the game? It’s been… a while.
Why do you judge? I don’t normally, but want to be involved in any way I can.
Song that best describes you: Whatta man. Lol
What else do you like to judge? People’s walking speed.
If not coffee, what? Negronis
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot – hot for coffee, iced for everything else.
Cat’s or Dog’s – dogs
Technical or Sensory – sensory
Miley or Dolly – Dolly!
Dairy or Plant-based – neither.
Kayoko Nakamura Mojo Coffee Auckland
Insta: @kay_nak
Badly describe your job: I watch others do the work and silently judge them, make a list of things they did wrong. I then discuss them one by one. After a couple of weeks, I review their work and judge them again.
How long have you been in the game? 12 year
Why do you judge? I like drinking coffee, and I like meeting coffee people.
Song that best describes you: I won’t hurt you – The west coast pop art experimental band
What else do you like to judge? CIGS
If not coffee, what? Water
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot – Hot
Cat’s or Dog’s – Dog’s
Technical or Sensory – Sensory
Miley or Dolly – Dolly
Dairy or Plant-based – Dairy
Frank Hsu, Frank’s Coffee, Wellington
Insta: @frankie_arise
Badly describe your job: Chucking green coffee into a hot and toasty drum and hoping for the best that it turns out to be tasty brown stuff
How long have you been in the game? 15 years
Why do you judge? Just to drink delicious coffee for free
What else do you like to judge? Best customer award
If not coffee, what? Doughnuts
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot HOT
Cat’s or Dog’s DOGS
Technical or Sensory SENSORY
Miley or Dolly What are they again?
Dairy or Plant-based DAIRY
Caz Orr, Kōkako Coffee, Auckland.
Insta: barista_abroad
Badly describe your job: Talking a lot and hoping people understand my accent
How long have you been in the game? 8 years
Why do you judge? How else am I going to get a front-row seat? Jokes… No, I love hearing barista’s stories and get so inspired it just opens your mind so much. I also understand so much about people’s passion and care for coffee so I can relate to the competitors.
Song that best describes you: Van Morrison Bright Side of the Road! Life’s short… enjoy it and he’s Irish lol
What else do you like to judge? Auckland Drivers it’s actually more of a fear than a judgement.
If not coffee, what? Beer! McLeods shout out
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot – Hot
Cat’s or Dog’s – Dogs
Technical or Sensory – Technical
Miley or Dolly – Dolly
Dairy or Plant-based – ohh depends how bloated I am lol
Sabre Dennis L’affare – Nationwide
Insta: @sabredennis
Badly describe your job: Importing and selling stuff that turns roasted beans into tasty black stuff. Been known to fling a few spanners and testers. Coffee in my veins…
How long have you been in the game? 25 years give or take…
Why do you judge? To broaden my scope and assist our rockstar baristas. This is my community.
Song that best describes you: Beautiful day – U2
What else do you like to judge? Bikes, push and motorised
If not coffee, what? Red wine and whiskey
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot – Hot
Cat’s or Dog’s – Dogs all-day
Technical or Sensory – Technical
Miley or Dolly – Miley
Dairy or Plant-based – Always bet on Black
Stu Hargie Turning Point Coffee Northland
Insta: @stuhargie
Badly describe your job: Enthusiastic Sniffer
How long have you been in the game? Longtime 20+ years.
Why do you judge? To have an annual cuddle with the 2 M’s, also to learn from the baristas and experience their amazing performances, to share, to connect with industry people.
Song that best describes you: I’m a little teapot
What else do you like to judge? Manners
If not coffee, what? Beer
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot – hot
Cat’s or Dog’s – Dogs
Technical or Sensory – I fear the T, Sensory!
Miley or Dolly – Hola Dolly!
Dairy or Plant-based – Dairy
Charlie Self Little Drum Coffee
Insta: @littledrumcoffee
Badly describe your job: Some ranting, some wincing, a lot of laughter and happiness and a fair amount of me trying to hold my tongue. All while trying to figure out what the new norm is.
How long have you been in the game? Long enough to start seeing old trends come back into fashion.
Why do you judge? To get myself out of my own little bubble and into a part of the industry that brings like minded people together
Song that best describes you: Hercules, Aaron Neville
What else do you like to judge? Books by their covers
If not coffee, what? Cooking stuff over coals, never gas
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot – Iced
Cat’s or Dog’s – Dog’s
Technical or Sensory – Sensory
Miley or Dolly – No idea what this means
Dairy or Plant-based – Dairy, I love cheese too much.
Sam Keall, Havana Coffee Works, Wellington
Insta: sam_keall
Badly describe your job: Sitting on too many Teams calls and drinking too much coffee
How long have you been in the game? 11 years
Why do you judge? Too scared to compete, want to taste delicious coffee
Song that best describes you: Pork & Beans – Weezer
What else do you like to judge? Questionable tea brewing techniques
If not coffee, what? Negroni’s
Quickfire questions:
Iced or hot: Hot
Cat’s or Dog’s: Cats
Technical or Sensory: Sensory
Miley or Dolly: Dolly
Dairy or Plant-based: Dairy