Eighteen samples of water from across the country were served to a panel of judges yesterday to find New Zealand's best tasting tap water — and a new champion's been crowned.
Rorotua Lakes Council took the top spot, winning the 2024 National Water Taste Test competition.
For the first time, the competition then expanded to a Trans-Tasman battle, with the New Zealand champion competing against Australia's top drop: A refreshing glass from Tasmania.
But judges couldn't separate the aqua. Ultimately, a tie was declared between water from InfraCore Rotorua Lakes Council's Karamu Takina Spring and from Tasmania's TasWater Fern Tree water treatment plant.
"It's all about that clean, fresh texture," one judge said. (Source: istock.com)
All municipal water suppliers in New Zealand were invited to compete in the National Water Taste Test and submit a sample of their finest drop to the Water Industry Operations Group (WIOG).
The other grand finalists were Matamata-Piako, Central Hawke's Bay and Kapiti Coast.
Last year's winner was Waimate District Council.
What are the criteria?
Judging is done as a blind taste test and rated according to the Water Tasting Wheel.
Colour, clarity, odour and taste are the key categories.
Judge Jules van Costello told Breakfast: "You're looking at the water, you're basically making sure it's not cloudy, there are no solid bits in it — all of those things are faults.
"For me, mouth feel is the most important.
"It's all about that clean, fresh texture, a little bit of softness."
WIOG's Joshua McIndoe said: "Many of us turn on taps for a drink, to cook and to shower, with little thought as to the complexities involved in operating and maintaining the water infrastructure.
"The competition acknowledges the individuals and organisations that are stepping up to make sure their communities are supplied with safe drinking water every day."
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