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.
Studenst in Years 11 and 12 who do not qualify for the New Zealand team, but who show promise in either New Zealand competition, will be invited to join the NZYPT Academy. Academy slection does not guarantee a place on the 2028 reperesentative team, but it will provide additional mentoring that should strengthen the student’s application.
All New Zealand competitions use these seven IYPT questions.
IYPT 2027 Milestone Dates
NB: The representative team selection process has been extended. All students making it through to the final selection stage MUST compete in the schools’ tournament on April 3rd. The Trust will arrange a team for those students attneding a school that does not participate in NZYPT.
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
December 1st – Registrations for Rep Team selections open. It is essential to register, to receive all the additional information about the online support sessions in the holidays and receive instructions on how to submit a video. Registering does NOT commit you to entering.
Summer 2026/2027 – online meetings and webinars for Academy students and those working towards a rep team selection application. The great summer science project.
12th February 2027 – Video entries for the NZ Rep team selection process due at midnight.
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 –Finalists in the team selection process and 1st group of new Physics Academy members announced.
April 3rd – Schools’ team tournament.
April 4th – Representative team selected at meeting in Auckland. 2nd group of new Physics Academy members announced.
April 24th to 26th –1st team training camp (ANZAC weekend)
June 5th to 7th – 2nd team training camp (King’s Birthday weekend)
July 1st and 4th – Pre-Tournament residential training camp in Auckland.
July 5th – IYPT begins in Auckland
Resources to help your investigation
Read the “how to investigate an IYPT problem” guide here.
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 the 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.