The 2025 NZ Tour Finals wrapped up last weekend at Auckland Badminton, bringing together the country’s best emerging and established players for three days of high-quality competition. With athletes from across New Zealand represented, the Finals not only showcased outstanding individual and pair performances, but also highlighted the depth of badminton talent spread across the regions.
From nail-biting deciders to dominant displays, the Finals delivered on every front - capping off another successful year for the NZ Tour.
Mixed Doubles
The mixed doubles final set the tone for what was to be a thrilling day of Finals. Adam Jeffrey (AK) and Laura Lin (AK) edged North Harbour’s Dylan Soedjasa and Justine Villegas 21-19, 22-20 in a match of outstanding quality. With both pairs exchanging leads and refusing to give an inch, the packed crowd was treated to one of the best spectacles of the weekend.
Soedjasa and Villegas had earlier survived a three-game semi-final battle against Harbour compatriots Markis Tew and Natalie Ting, while Jeffrey and Lin had stunned second seeds Vincent Tao and Alyssa Tagle in their semi-final.
Women’s Singles
In an all–North Harbour final, Yanxi Liu emerged champion, overcoming Josephine Zhao 21-17, 21-10. Liu’s consistency and court coverage proved decisive, capping off a strong tournament where she also defeated Auckland’s Coco Zhu in straight games in the semi-final.
Liu and Zhao had faced off earlier in pool play, with Liu making a dramatic comeback to win 9 consecutive points in the third game, defeating Zhao 21-17, 10-21, 21-19. This result pushed Zhao into a tough semi-final against top seed Jenny Zhu, however Zhao emerged victorious to set up the thrilling rematch.
Men’s Singles
Auckland’s Daniel McMillan claimed the men’s singles crown after a gritty three-game final against North Harbour’s Chris Benzie. After dropping the first game 14-21, McMillan rallied with precise attacking play to secure the next two 21-15, 21-19.
Benzie had earlier impressed with a hard-fought semi-final win over Wellington North’s Bevan Cox, while McMillan was clinical in dispatching Hawke’s Bay’s Lezhi Zhu in the other semi-final. Earlier in pool play, standout performances included Wellington’s Toby Smith saving multiple match points to edge teammate Alexander Coumbe 22-20 in one of the weekend’s most dramatic encounters.
Women’s Doubles
Auckland–North Harbour duo Laura Lin and Anona Pak were untouchable in the women’s doubles, storming to the title with a 21-9, 21-10 victory over Harbour’s Yanxi Liu and Natalie Ting in the final.
Lin and Pak had been in dominant form all weekend, recording straight-game wins throughout the tournament. Liu and Ting themselves were impressive semi-final winners over Camellia Zhou and Jenny Zhu, but found Lin and Pak too strong in the title clash.
Men’s Doubles
The men’s doubles final saw a dynamic mix of flair and power as Raphael Chris Deloy (WKO) and Adam Jeffrey (AK) combined superbly to defeat Jack Wang (CM) and Lezhi Zhu (HB) 21-12, 21-18.
Deloy and Jeffrey had battled back from a game down in their semi-final against North Harbour’s Chris Benzie and Ricky Cheng, eventually turning the match with sharp net play and aggressive attack. Wang and Zhu also showed great resilience, clawing past Harbour pairing Dylan Soedjasa and Vincent Tao in a thrilling three-game semi-final that went down to the wire at 21-19 in the decider.
A Celebration of the NZ Tour
This year’s NZ Tour Finals once again reinforced the value of the Tour as a platform for competitive development and nationwide engagement. Players from all over New Zealand contributed to a vibrant and competitive environment throughout the season, with a fantastic mix of regional talent progressing into the Finals.
Badminton New Zealand extends its sincere thanks to the technical officials whose expertise ensured smooth and fair play throughout the Finals, and to all the regional hosts of Tour events whose efforts made this national series possible.
With the Tour Finals now complete, badminton fans can reflect on a season of outstanding performances, new rivalries, and a clear sign that the sport’s future in New Zealand is bright.