New Zealand Young Physicists’ Trust
Bringing the “World Up of Physics” to Auckland
The International Young Physicists’ Tournament (IYPT)
IYPT is often described as the “World Cup of Physics”, is one of the world’s leading science competitions for secondary school students. Unlike traditional academic contests, students investigate real-world physics phenomena through research, experimentation, modelling, and scientific debate. The competition develops critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills that are highly valued in STEM careers.
In New Zealand, the competition is organised by the New Zealand Young Physicists’ Trust, a volunteer-led registered charity dedicated to developing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. Through IYPT, students gain valuable skills in problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and critical thinking.
New Zealand Success on the World Stage
New Zealand has competed in IYPT since 2003 and has won medals in 16 of its 18 appearances. This year, Team New Zealand achieved an impressive ninth-place finish among 35 nations at the tournament in Zurich, Switzerland, earning silver medals.
Auckland to Host IYPT 2027
The spotlight now turns to Auckland, which will host the 40th International Young Physicists’ Tournament from 5 to 12 July 2027. The event is expected to attract more than 300 overseas visitors from around 35 countries across six continents, providing an exciting opportunity to showcase New Zealand’s education, innovation, and hospitality.
Competition rounds will be held at the University of Auckland, bringing together some of the brightest young scientific minds from around the world. The tournament is also expected to generate significant international visitor spending, with many teams extending their stay to explore New Zealand.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Beyond the event itself, the Trust is working to expand opportunities for young people to engage with physics through competitions, teacher support programmes, and extracurricular clubs. The goal is to inspire more New Zealand students to pursue pathways in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
As Auckland prepares to welcome the world’s leading young physicists in 2027, the tournament represents a unique opportunity to celebrate scientific excellence, inspire future scientists, strengthen New Zealand’s STEM capability, demonstrate the power of curiosity-driven learning, and showcase New Zealand on the global stage.
Chester Grey
We are honoured to support the New Zealand Young Physicists’ Trust as its accountants, offering financial advisory support as the tournament causes a brief, over tenfold budget spike. Together, these services will help position the organisation to successfully host IYPT 2027 and continue inspiring future generations of scientists.
For more information about the New Zealand Young Physicists’ Trust and IYPT 2027, visit www.iypt.org.nz.