Auckland Regional Barista Champs 2025 winners crowned

The New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association (NZSCA) has announced the winners for the 2025 Regional Barista Champs in Auckland, New Zealand.

The NZ Regional Barista Champs were held on 30 March in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau.

The winners are:

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

The People’s Champion: Moi Yokota, Atomic Coffee Roasters, Auckland

The Regional Champion will be granted free entry to the National Championship in August, with their spot reserved. The prize package includes a $200 Prezi card from La Marzocco, a $100 Wellington restaurant voucher from Acme Cupco, and $1500 in cash from Meadow Fresh.

The second-place winner secured a reserved spot for the National Championship in August, with a 50 per cent discount on the entry fee. They also received $750 in cash from Meadow Fresh.

The third-place winner will also be awarded a reserved spot for the National Championship in August, along with a 50 per cent discount on their entry fee. Additionally, they received $500 in cash from Meadow Fresh.

Finally, the fourth-place finisher will earn a reserved spot for the National Championship in August, with a 50 per cent discount on their entry fee.

The Nationals will be held on the 23 to 24 August at Whirinaki Toanga Whare, Upper Hutt. Catch up on the results from the Christchurch regionals here.