The purpose of this newsletter is to connect Aotearoa's students Years 7 - 13 (and their parents) with the varied, and often free, extra-curricular (EC) opportunities which arise from time to time. Join our mailing list.
* indicates a new addition.
click the drop-down arrow below for more details about each item
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES (Term 3 & 4, 2026)
Arts, Culture, & Fashion
National Secondary School Art Awards | Arts (visual art)
What? A nationwide Art competition to celebrate the imagination, skill, and creativity of Aotearoa New Zealand’s young artists.
Who? Years 11 - 13 Art students, nationwide.
When? Entries are open 27 July and close 14 August.
Where? Nationwide, online.
Cost? Free to enter.
Apply as... An individual.
The competition is now in its 14th consecutive year.
Shortlisted finalists will be invited to send their work to be exhibited at The Arts House Trust, Pah Homestead where the winners will be chosen on Thursday 10 September by the Arts House Trust Curatorial Team and this year’s Guest Judge (announcement coming soon).
OnScreen National Short Filmmaking Challenge | Arts (film)
What? A short filmmaking competition for young creatives in NZ.
Who? Students Years 7 - 13
Where? Nationwide.
When?
Registrations are open now, and final film submissions are due in September.
Register early and get access to free mentoring, workshops and filmmaking opportunities throughout the year.
Cost? Free.
Apply as... A group or an individual.
OnScreen is a challenge for kiwi students to create an original short film, documentary or music video of up to 7 minutes.
OnScreen is free to enter and open to all intermediate and high school students across Aotearoa. Its goal is to facilitate students learning new skills, trying new things and taking on creative leadership. Students are encouraged to run their production like a real film set and learn how to be a Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Cameraperson, Audio Technician, Editor, Lighting Technician, Performer and Animator.
The total prize pool is over $12,000, with various categories and age divisions.
Registrations are open now, and filmmaking tools, workshops and mentoring is available for students as soon as they register.
Environment & the Outdoors
*Girls on Ice: 2027 expedition | Environment & the Outdoors
What? A 10-day expedition in Mt Ruapehu's glacier. A team of ten girls will learn about the ever-changing nature of snow and glaciers on Mount Ruapehu, use art to observe the landscape, and engage in practical field work
Who? Girls aged 15 or 16.
When?
Takes place 6 - 16 January 2027.
Applications are now open and close on 24 August.
Where? Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand
Cost? Free.
Apply as... an individual.
*Forest & Bird Youth Regional Hui | Environment & the Outdoors
What? A day of learning, engagement, and nature connection for young nature lovers, full of interactive workshops, activities and nature indoors and out in the bush.
Who? Ages 14 and up
When?
Auckland: 16 August
Christchurch: 30 August
New Plymouth: 27 September
Where?
Auckland: Te Pai Centre
Christchurch: TBA
New Plymouth: TBA
Cost? Free.
Apply as... an individual.
*Untouched World Foundation: Oruawairua/Blumine Island Leadership Programme | Environment & the Outdoors, Leadership & Community
What? An immersive eight-day wānanga where rangatahi step into conservation leadership, connecting heart, Based in Oruawairua/Blumine Island, where you'll live and learn surrounded by te taiao.
Who? Rangatahi aged 16 - 25 years
When?
Takes place 30 November - 7 December 2026.
Applications are now open and close on 27 September, but applications will be considered and positions offered on a rolling basis.
Where? Oruawairua/Blumine Island
Cost? Both fully-funded (free) and partially funded ($800 per participant) places are available.
Apply as... an individual.
Outward Bound - Scholarships | Outdoors, Leadership
What? Partial scholarships for Outward Bound's one-week course and three-week course.
Who? Young New Zealanders aged 16 - 18.
When? Scholarship applications are open now for the September/October programmes.
Where? Malborough Sounds, South Island.
Cost? The scholarships are valued at:
$2,099 (one-week course);
$3,447 (three-week course),
which is 50% of the total course fee.
Apply as... An individual.
OB's transformative courses for young people deliver transferrable lessons that ripple into school, home life and beyond. They are a fantastic opportunity, delivered by guides with 60 years of experience who have taken over 70,000 NZers on OB experiences.
Leadership, Community, & Activism
*United Nations NZ Speech Awards | Speech, Community, & Activism
What? A speech challenge, providing a platform for people across Aotearoa New Zealand to explore, discuss, and engage with issues central to the work of the United Nations.
Who? Years 9 - 13 students in NZ.
When? Entries are open now and close 16 August.
Where? NZ nationwide.
Cost? Free to enter.
Apply as... An individual
2026 Topic:
As the UN international Community looks beyond 2030 what should replace sustainable development goals?
Six finalists will be selected to present at a live final in Wellington, where the 2026 winner will be announced.
*Hands-On Otago | Community
What? A week-long summer programme for secondary school students to experience what studying at the University of Otago is really like.
Who? Students Years 12 and 13.
When?
Applications are open now and close 6 August.
Takes place 17 - 22 January 2027.
Where? University of Otago, Dunedin.
Cost? $725 (scholarships available)
Apply as... An individual.
Participants will stay on campus at one of Otago's residential colleges and choose a subject to explore for the week. With more than 20 subjects on offer across Arts and Social Sciences (Humanities), Business, Health Sciences and Sciences, students can explore an area they're interested in and get a feel for future study options across the country and participate in a huge range of activities that will challenge and inspire them for the year ahead.
*Untouched World Foundation: Oruawairua/Blumine Island Leadership Programme | Environment & the Outdoors, Leadership & Community
What? An immersive eight-day wānanga where rangatahi step into conservation leadership, connecting heart, Based in Oruawairua/Blumine Island, where you'll live and learn surrounded by te taiao.
Who? Rangatahi aged 16 - 25 years
When?
Takes place 30 November - 7 December 2026.
Applications are now open and close on 27 September, but applications will be considered and positions offered on a rolling basis.
Where? Oruawairua/Blumine Island
Cost? Both fully-funded (free) and partially funded ($800 per participant) places are available.
Apply as... an individual.
*NZ Model European Union | Leadership, Community, & Activism
What? A three-day event, where delegates representing nations of the European Union will work together to craft resolutions and debate amendments. With an exciting array of Committees and workshops, NZMEU provides a unique opportunity to develop public speaking, negotiation, and writing skills.
Who? Students Years 9 - 13.
When? Registrations are open now and close 8 August. Event takes place 29 - 31 August.
Where? University of Canterbury.
Cost? $205
Apply as... An individual.
Outward Bound - Scholarships | Outdoors, Leadership
What? Partial scholarships for Outward Bound's one-week course and three-week course.
Who? Young New Zealanders aged 16 - 18.
When? Scholarship applications are open now for the September/October programmes.
Where? Malborough Sounds, South Island.
Cost? The scholarships are valued at:
$2,099 (one-week course);
$3,447 (three-week course),
which is 50% of the total course fee.
Apply as... An individual.
OB's transformative courses for young people deliver transferrable lessons that ripple into school, home life and beyond. They are a fantastic opportunity, delivered by guides with 60 years of experience who have taken over 70,000 NZers on OB experiences.
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting | Community (Politics), Activism
What? A three-day event providing an opportunity for high school students to immerse themselves in international relations and develop a greater understanding of world issues.
Who? Years 11, 12 and 13 students, anywhere in NZ.
When?
Registrations are open now and close on 7 August.
The event takes place 26 - 28 August.
Where? New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Cost? $200 (earlybird) or $225. Scholarships are available to cover the cost of the event fee, and also to cover flights/transport to and from Wellington.
Apply as... An individual.
Student CHOGM is Commonwealth Youth’s annual flagship event. The three-day event is rife with debate, discussion, and personal development.
During SCHOGM, students from across Aotearoa New Zealand will meet at a conference and represent a Commonwealth country, acting as their Head of Government or Foreign Minister. The conference is designed for students to steer through political crises, and grapple with grave concerns facing today's Commonwealth countries.
The GirlBoss Awards | Leadership & Community
What? A nationwide search for trailblazing young women in NZ, with over $15,000 in prizes up for grabs.
Who? Young women aged 11 - 18.
Where? Split into...
Canterbury Awards.
Nationwide Awards.
When? Applications for the awards are open now and close 2 August.
Cost? Free to apply or nominate.
Apply as... An individual.
The GirlBoss Awards highlight young women who are defying stereotypes and creating positive change in their communities. We're on the hunt for inspiring young leaders, facilitators, role models, and innovators who are pushing the boundaries and blazing new trails.
Awards categoies include the Trailblazer award, Inclusion award, Sport award, Arts & Culture award, Innovation award, Community award, and STEM award. Each category's winner will receive a $1,000 cash grant.
Mathematics
None this month - check back next month.
Problem-solving, Innovation, & Business
*INSPIRE Festival | Problem-solving & Innovation, STEM
What? A 2-day event in Nelson, offering student-selected challenging discussions and hands-on workshops all focused around STEAMS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths, and Society).
Who? Years 3 - 8 students.
When? Bookings are open now. The event takes place 4 - 5 September.
Where? Nayland College, Nelson.
Cost? $60 per student per day.
Apply as... An individual
INSPIRE offers thought-provoking discussions and hands on experiments for tamariki with an interest in STEAM. INSPIRE is based on the STEAMS model of education and delivered by New Zealand’s top professionals, scientists, and mentored college students.
Samsung: Solve for Tomorrow | Technology & STEM, Problem-solving & Innovation
What? A competition encouraging young people to use STEAM and design-thinking to solve a problem in their community.
Who? Students Years 7 - 13
When?
Entries are open now.
Project Plan deadline (optional, for feedback): 12 June.
Entries close: 18 September.
Where? Nationwide.
Cost? Free to enter.
Apply as... An individual or a group of students.
Solve for Tomorrow is a nationwide competition challenging New Zealand’s next generation of innovators to unleash their creativity and use STEAM to help improve their communities.
Delivered in partnership with MOTAT and TENZ, the finalists will share $24,000 in prizes, including prize money and Samsung technology for them, their teacher and school.
Science
*WiE CAN | Science (Engineering)
What? A 5-day/4-night Women in Engineering residential programme that features interactive workshops, inspiring presentations, and fun social activities.
Who? Year 12 female students, currently studying Physics and Maths.
When?
Applications are open now and close 28 August.
Takes place 10 - 14 January 2027.
Where? University of Canterbury, Christchurch.
Cost? Free.
Apply as... An individual.
There are 60 places available and you don’t have to be top of the class to apply!
UC will provide accommodation and meals during the programme, from afternoon tea on Sunday 10 January through to morning tea on Thursday 14 January. Any other meals or accommodation required are at the expense of the attendee.
Attendees are responsible for travel to and from the camp. Support with travel costs may be available for successful applicants who are facing financial barriers.
*NZ Chemistry Olympiad competition | Science (Chemistry)
What? The NZChO test, typically in late September, is an opportunity for all students to be challenged and test skills that will extend them and prepare them for external exams.
Who? Years 11 and 12 students in NZ.
When? Registrations are open now and close 8 September. The test takes place on 15 September.
Where? NZ nationwide.
Cost? $40 + fees.
Apply as... An individual
Students will be awarded Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit certificates based on their level of achievement.
The results of the NZChO competition will be used to select the students to be invited to participate in a training group for the International Chemistry Olympiad. This group will be provided with a series of modules that they can complete over the summer and that will extend their chemistry knowledge (up to a level suitable to help prepare students for Scholarship Chemistry).
*Prime Minister's Future Scientist Prize | Science
What? A prize for a student with a project relating to natural, physical, mathematical, information, applied, engineering, technological, or other sciences. The winner will receive $50,000 to use towards their tertiary education in NZ.
Who? Years 12 and 13 students in NZ.
When? Applications are open now and close 30 September.
Where? NZ nationwide.
Cost? Free to apply.
Apply as... An individual
Prime Minister's Space Prize for Student Endeavour | Science (Space)
What? A prize for a student with a science, technology, or engineering project related to space or advanced aviation. The winner will receive $50,000 to use towards their tertiary education in NZ.
Who? Years 12 and 13 students in NZ.
When? Applications are open now and close 30 September.
Where? NZ nationwide.
Cost? Free to apply.
Apply as... An individual
NZ International Biology Olympiad 26/27 programme | Science (Biology)
What? A year-long programme designed to foster interest and excellence in Biology of secondary school students in New Zealand.
Who? Secondary school students in NZ, studying Biology.
When?
Registrations are open now and close 10 August.
The first stage is the National Entrance Exam, which takes place 19 August (at your school under supervision).
Where? Open to students NZ Nationwide. The residential camp is held at one of NZIBO's partner universities nationwide, and the international Olympiad will be held in Poland in 2027.
Cost? $40 per student.
Apply as... An individual. Note that participation in the first stage of the programme (entrance test) is via school. If you are interested as a parent/student, find out whether your school intends to participate this year (and ask them to register).
Annually over 500 secondary school students from throughout New Zealand participate in this programme.
RANZCOG Liam and Frankie Davidson Award | Writing, Science (women's health, psychology)
What? A creative opportunity for a student who is interested in medicine, health science, politics, law, psychology, or sociology to submit a piece on any aspect of women’s health that interests them.
Who? Open to Years 11 - 13 students.
When? Entries are open now and close 31 August.
Where? NZ, Nationwide.
Cost? Free to enter.
Apply as... an individual.
Past entries include fictional stories, non-fiction essays or poems on topics ranging from disordered eating, gynaecological and reproductive issues to gendered violence.
All applications must include a completed application form and an original literary piece of not more than 1000 words on any topic of interest in women’s health (examples might include an opinion piece on a social issue, a short story or a report).
Up to two awards are offered each year; the winning entrant(s) will receive $1,000 in AUD or NZD as applicable, based on country of residence.
Technology, Computer Science & STEM
*NZ Programming Contest | Computer Science
What? An annual team programming contest open to school, tertiary and open competitors across New Zealand. Teams of up to three contestants have five hours to solve as many problems as they can on a single computer.
Who? Students Years 9 - 13.
When? The contest takes place 8 August. Pre-registration may or may not be necessary, depending on the site.
Where? At various sites throughout New Zealand:
Auckland: University of Auckland
Hamilton: University of Waikato
Wellington: Wellington Institute of Technology
Christchurch: University of Canterbury
Dunedin: University of Otago
Invercargill: James Hargest College
Cost? Free to enter.
Apply as... A team of up to three.
Cash prizes are on offer for the winners in each category.
*INSPIRE Festival | Problem-solving & Innovation, STEM
What? A 2-day event in Nelson, offering student-selected challenging discussions and hands-on workshops all focused around STEAMS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths, and Society).
Who? Years 3 - 8 students.
When? Bookings are open now. The event takes place 4 - 5 September.
Where? Nayland College, Nelson.
Cost? $60 per student per day.
Apply as... An individual
INSPIRE offers thought-provoking discussions and hands on experiments for tamariki with an interest in STEAM. INSPIRE is based on the STEAMS model of education and delivered by New Zealand’s top professionals, scientists, and mentored college students.
Samsung: Solve for Tomorrow | Technology & STEM, Problem-solving & Innovation
What? A competition encouraging young people to use STEAM and design-thinking to solve a problem in their community.
Who? Students Years 7 - 13
When?
Entries are open now.
Project Plan deadline (optional, for feedback): 12 June.
Entries close: 18 September.
Where? Nationwide.
Cost? Free to enter.
Apply as... An individual or a group of students.
Solve for Tomorrow is a nationwide competition challenging New Zealand’s next generation of innovators to unleash their creativity and use STEAM to help improve their communities.
Delivered in partnership with MOTAT and TENZ, the finalists will share $24,000 in prizes, including prize money and Samsung technology for them, their teacher and school.
Writing, Literature & Speech
*United Nations NZ Speech Awards | Speech, Community, & Activism
What? A speech challenge, providing a platform for people across Aotearoa New Zealand to explore, discuss, and engage with issues central to the work of the United Nations.
Who? Years 9 - 13 students in NZ.
When? Entries are open now and close 16 August.
Where? NZ nationwide.
Cost? Free to enter.
Apply as... An individual
2026 Topic:
As the UN international Community looks beyond 2030 what should replace sustainable development goals?
Six finalists will be selected to present at a live final in Wellington, where the 2026 winner will be announced.
RANZCOG Liam and Frankie Davidson Award | Writing, Science (women's health, psychology)
What? A creative opportunity for a student who is interested in medicine, health science, politics, law, psychology, or sociology to submit a piece on any aspect of women’s health that interests them.
Who? Open to Years 11 - 13 students.
When? Entries are open now and close 31 August.
Where? NZ, Nationwide.
Cost? Free to enter.
Apply as... an individual.
Past entries include fictional stories, non-fiction essays or poems on topics ranging from disordered eating, gynaecological and reproductive issues to gendered violence.
All applications must include a completed application form and an original literary piece of not more than 1000 words on any topic of interest in women’s health (examples might include an opinion piece on a social issue, a short story or a report).
Up to two awards are offered each year; the winning entrant(s) will receive $1,000 in AUD or NZD as applicable, based on country of residence.
NZ Writers' College Short Story Competition | Writing
What? A short-story competition for emerging NZ writers.
Who? Unpublished writers aged 16 and up.
When?
Entries are open now and close 30 September (small entry fee).
Where? NZ nationwide.
Cost? $15 entry fee.
Apply as... An individual
The top three winners will collect cash prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250, and publication in an anthology of winning stories.
CAM Spelling Bee | Spelling
What? A spelling and vocabulary competition.
Who? Students Years 5 - 8
When?
Entries are open on 8 June and close 14 August.
The competitions take place 31 August - 18 September.
Where? NZ nationwide.
Cost? There is an entry fee per student - inquire to find out more.
Apply as... An individual or group of students. Note that participation in this competition is via school, and there is a small fee involved. If you are interested as a parent/student, find out whether your school intends to participate this year.