Aotearoa Science and Technology Fair 2026

Royal Society Te Apārangi has supported regional science fairs since the 1960s. The Society is now re-establishing the national fair in collaboration with regional committees to give tauira (students) across New Zealand a platform to showcase rigorous research, critical thinking, and innovation.

The Aotearoa Science and Technology Fair brings together top secondary student researchers to present innovative projects and compete for national and international opportunities. Adobe Images.

Selected tauira will gather in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington for a two-day event focused on solving real-world problems alongside experts and industry leaders. Up to three outstanding projects will be chosen to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in the United States.

Key Event Information

• Dates & Location: 21–22 October 2026 at Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington

• Organiser: Royal Society Te Apārangi in collaboration with regional science fairs

• Nominations Deadline: 5pm, Monday 5 October 2026

• International Event: Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, 8–14 May 2027

• Key Activities: Presenting projects to judges, field trips with local scientists, networking with peers, and exploring tertiary career pathways.

Eligibility for the Aotearoa Science and Technology Fair

Entrants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents enrolled in Year 11, 12, or 13. Projects can be submitted by individual students or teams of up to three members.

To qualify for nomination, students must have participated in a regional science fair. Regional fair leaders nominate top projects, which then undergo a two-stage evaluation involving online stage 1 judging followed by in-person interviews in Wellington.

Pānuihia kia mōhio mai ai: https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/what-we-do/supporting-teaching-and-learning/teaching-and-learning-opportunities/aotearoa-science-and-technology-fair/about-the-fair