Next week in Nelson, tap water from towns and cities all across New Zealand will compete in a unique challenge—the 2025 IXOM National Water Taste Test. The event will take place during the Water Industry Operations Group annual conference, with the winner announced on Thursday, 29 May.
The competition invites local water suppliers to submit their best drinking water for a blind taste test. Judges use a special tool called the “Water Tasting Wheel” to help rate each sample by colour, clarity, smell, and taste—much like a wine tasting, but with water.
The goal is to celebrate the hard work of people who make sure we have clean, safe, and great-tasting water every day. Joshua McIndoe, Chair of WIOG, says the contest helps remind everyone just how much effort goes into something as simple as turning on a tap.
The winner will not only earn the title of Best Tasting Tap Water in New Zealand for the year, but will also represent the country in a friendly competition against Australia in July.
This year’s judges include water experts, industry leaders, and even a master brewer. The heats will be judged on Wednesday, 28 May, with the grand final the following day at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson. Past winners include Rotorua, Timaru, and Waikato. Will a new champion be crowned this year?
