Aussie barista after NZ title

A competition to find the finest barista in New Zealand has sparked a storm in a coffee mug after it emerged one of the competitors plies his trade in Australia.

Ben Boyle scooped first place in the northern regional heats of the Robert Harris-sponsored awards, and with it a place among the country's elite nine at the national finals. The winner will go on to represent New Zealand at the World Barista Championships in Switzerland in May next year.

But Mr Boyle works at a cafe in South Yarra, Melbourne.

Competition organisers insist the rules have been followed. Mr Boyle is a New Zealander, who has entered before, and is ineligible to win the equivalent Australian competition.

But some in the industry are steamed up about what they see as a loop-hole in the rules.

Paul Stowers, editor of leading industry magazine FoodService, said the event was supposed to be about promoting New Zealand cafes and baristas.

"I'm sure Ben is a great guy who makes damn fine coffee, but just imagine the headline if he wins - 'Aussie cafe named as New Zealand's best'."

Mr Stowers said the rules should be altered so competitors were working within the geographic boundaries of the heats before they could enter.

"To win the northern region heat, you should be working in a cafe in the upper North Island," he said.

A spokeswoman for the Robert Harris National Barista Awards said Mr Boyle's entry met the local and international competition criteria, and the rules had not been bent. If he won, he would represent New Zealand.

Mr Boyle, who travelled to Auckland specially for the heats, told the Herald he had been living in Melbourne for almost a year, but planned to return home to take up a contract with Altura Coffee in Albany. His family lived in Auckland and he intended to settle here with his girlfriend. But before that, he would make another visit to compete in the national finals on September 23.

"The level of competition gets higher each year and I've spent the last month training for it," he said. "I think I'll do pretty well, but I've said that in other competitions and come nowhere. Here's hoping."

The national finals of the only accredited barista championships in New Zealand are held as part of the Wildbean Coffee Festival in Taupo.