New Zealand’s premier physics competition for senior high school students.
The International Young Physicists’ Tournament mimics, as close as possible, the real-world processes of scientific research. It adds real world skills in experimental design and fabrication, data modelling, problem solving, presentation, teamwork and concise communication to classroom theory.
IYPT in New Zealand is organised by the NZ Young Physicists’ Trust, registered charity CC62496. The Trust also uses the IYPT problems in a competition for individual students that selects a five student NZ Representative team that competes in the International Young Physicists’ Tournament, (IYPT) every year.
In July 2026, IYPT will be in Switzerland at ETH Zurich University – Einstein’s old school.. In 2027 we’re bringing IYPT to Auckland!
Congratulations!
St Cuthbert’s College, Y12 Team
National Young Physicists’ Champions 2026
In a New Zealand first, the top three teams were all young women. Congratulations to you all!
1st St. Cuthbert’s College Y12, Auckland
2nd Queen Margaret College, Wellington
3rd St. Cuthbert’s College Y13, Auckland
The World Cup of Physics is coming to Auckland!
IYPT is often called the “world cup of physics” (honest – google it!).
In July 2027 the Trust is running the 40th International Young Physicists’ Tournament here in Auckland! About 200 students for 36 countries will attend.
Like all world cups, we hope the excitement of the event will raise awareness and participation, while the infrastructure we put in place will support IYPT in New Zealand for years to come. We want to put on an event that will excite and inspire participants to return. It is a once in a generation chance to showcase New Zealand’s STEM education and careers. If you’ve ever hired someone with a degree that required high-school physics please consider sponsoring us.
IYPT 2027 logo competition
Like any world cup, IYPT needs it’s own tournament badge/logo. In the best physics tradition – we have no money, so we have to think….The result? A logo design competition running in term two 2026. Students across NZ can enter their designs for a tournament badge the represents both IYPT and New Zealand. You can see our immediate predecessors below – but we can probably do better than our first attempt. Watch this space!
ACCELERATE!
From Particles to People: Jennifer Randle’s Journey from Physics to Public Health
Alumni Dr Jennifer Randle and her team were finalists in the International Young Physicists’ Tournament in Austria 2010. They placed third, winning gold medals. Read how IYPT gave Jennifer the intense scientific debating and examination skills, that are essential to her profession as a public health physician.
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