New Zealand’s premier physics competition for senior high school students.
The International Young Physicists’ Tournament mimics, as closely 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. We run an annual national competition for school teams that is based on seven of the seventeen IYPT problems. The Trust also uses these 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!
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 any world cup, IYPT needs it’s own tournament logo.
In the best physics tradition – we have no money, so we have to think….The result? The Fusion design competition for year 11 to year 13 students in NZ. The competition is open until May 29th. Win great prizes and get your design seen around the world!
Full details can be found here.
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
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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