Date: Sunday 20th September
Venue: AUT WG Building – 74 Governor Fitzroy Place, Auckland CBD
- Ticket SOLD OUT! Join the waitlist here: Humanitix
- Judges: Registration opens 6th July (closes 1st August)
- Volunteers: Registration opens 6th July (closes 1st August)
Event Compliance
The event will be held under the following:
- 2026 World Latte Art Championship Rules & Regulations
- NZ Competitors Code of Conduct/Terms & Conditions
- NZSCA Code of Conduct and Core Values
- Additional event-specific rules as applicable
Event Overview
The Aotearoa Latte Art Championship is a platform that highlights technical skill and artistic expression in a live performance format. This year’s event will have a capacity of 12 competitors.
The winner will represent Aotearoa at the World Latte Art Championship 2027, with flights and accommodation covered by NZSCA.
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 decorations)
- NOTE: The first set of free-pour lattes must be made with Boring Oat Milk (compulsory requirement)
- The Top 5 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
Provided On-Stage Equipment (Compulsory Use):
- Espresso Machine: La Marzocco two-group Linea PB
Per the rules, the two group machines’ temperatures are set at the mid-point between 90.5 – 96 °C. The baskets are 17g La Marzocco precision baskets. - Grinder: HeyCafé Buddy
- Coffee: Hummingbird
- Dairy Milk: Meadow Fresh Original
- Alternative Milk: Boring Oat Milk (compulsory in preliminary round free pour)
- Cups: Acme Cup Co. – Tasters Large 310ml
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 (@nzspecialtycoffee). 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. A fun and easy way for spectators to get involved and show support!
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The Aotearoa Latte Art Championships 2026 is kindly supported by:
- Principal: Confirmed three-year 2024/25/26 Meadow Fresh
Sponsors:
- Machinery: Confirmed three-year 2024/25/26 La Marzocco NZ
- Cleaning Supplies: Confirmed three-year 2024/25/26 Cafetto
- Ceramics/Porcelain: Confirmed three-year 2024/25/26 Acme Cup Co
- Alternative Milk: Boring
- Coffee: Hummingbird
- Grinder: AMC Roastery Supply
- Sponsor: Ārepa
- Event partner/s: OPEN
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Competitor Line Up:
Yoonhee Jeong representing Mojo Coffee, Auckland
Bryan Rajeyya Independent, Hamilton
Dennis Yu Hsin Hsueh representing DEMIS Cafe, Hamilton
Tiffany Goh representing EOS Coffee, Auckland
Daniel Woodhouse representing Grey Roasting Co., Hamilton
Takashi Ueno representing Grey Roasting Co., Hamilton
Jenny Kim representing Atomic Coffee Roasters, Auckland
Julie Suzuki representing Starbucks New Zealand, Auckland
Parmveer Singh representing Dulcie Eatery, Auckland
Suttikiat Inplang representing Centro, Auckland
Hitoshi Araya representing Frank’s Coffee, Wellington
Tsubasa Nico Nozaki representing Sketchbook Coffee/New Chapter, Wellington
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