For Students
IYPT is open to all students enrolled in an authorised New Zealand secondary education establishment, including Te Kura.
There are two ways to enter IYPT in New Zealand, neither of which involves an exam.
- Enter as an individual to become a member of Team New Zealand (physics) who represent the country at IYPT.
- Enter as a team of three students into the national team tournament. Typically a school team, but any group of three students can enter with their teacher/coach. This is the best way to start IYPT-ing in years 11 or 12.
The IYPT Year
IYPT 2027 Milestone Dates
20th July 2026 – IYPT announce 17 problems for 2027 Tournament.
15th August 2026 – Launch 7 problems for New Zealand competitions. Workshop for Academy students and those new to the Tournament
Summer 2026/2027 – online meetings and webinars for Academy students and those working towards a rep team selection application.
12th February 2027 – Video entries for the NZ Rep team selection process due.
27th and 28th February 2027 – NZ Rep team selection camp (up to 20 students, by invitation only, who were selected on the strength of their video entries.)
7th March – NZ Rep team for 2027 announced. 1st group of new Academy members announced.
March 20th and 21st – 1st team training camp.
April 3rd – Schools’ team tournament. 2nd group of new Academy members announced. .
April 24th to 26th –2nd team training camp (ANZAC weekend)
June 5th to 7th – 3rd team training camp (King’s Birthday weekend)
July 1st and 4th – Pre-Tournament training camp.
July 5th – IYPT begins in Auckland
Resources to help your investigation
Read the “how to investigate an IYPT problem” guide here.
As you start your research, you may find this IYPT reference kit a useful starting point. While not an official IYPT document or set of instructions, it is prepared by people with years of experience at IYPT. It should help you work out exactly what physics is involved in each problem.
The short video”NZYPT Start Guide for Presenters” that follows, will help you design a 12-minute presentation for your problem solution. For the schools’ team tournament, you present live. As an individual trying for a place in the rep team, you present on video.
The video “NZYPT Opposition Guide” that follows, is only needed by teams in teh schools’ competition. Individuals may also find it useful when preparing to discuss your research with the selection panel, as the pannel will ask similar questions to a good opposition.
Teams – you should notice in this video two things. Firstly, that good opposition is a team effort. And secondly, that the presenter still has work to do after they finish their presentation!
At the tournament you present and defend your reserach in a physics match (called Physics fights at IYPT). Learn all about physics matches here.