Department of Engineering Science

New Zealand Engineering Science competition

This is our annual problem-solving competition for teams of secondary students. Organised by the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Auckland, it's sponsored by Orion Health and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. If you take Year 12 or 13 maths or science, get together with a team of 3-4 people and step up to the plate!

2017 results

The 2017 question was “How many rocket launches from Mahia Pensinsula would it take to establish a lunar colony?

180 teams took part with entries from 70 schools throughout New Zealand.

Winners

The Pullan Prize for first place ($6000)
Team 1003 from Kristin School (Mixed Year 12/13): Jake Lyons, Amar Hamilton Vincent, Felicity Qin, Joshua Sampson

Runners up ($2000 for each team)
Team 1116 from ACG Parnell College (Year 13): Arnav Shetty, Angus Berrington, Raghav Ramachandran, Daniel Jeng

Team 1131 from Mahurangi College (Year 13): Nathaniel Bedggood, Matthew Torckler, Jack Yarndley, Rupert Power

Highly commended

Team 1108 from ACG Parnell College (Year 12): Joel Hutchinson, Dunbar Sloane, Alexander Kilmartin and WIlliam Winspear
Team 1161 from ACG Parnell College (Year 12): Taylor Thorp, Ana Bogosanovic, Mark Hutchinson and Lachlan Broadhurst
Team 1060 from Kaitaia College (Year 13): Brendan Bell, Morgan Dolfing, Jacinta Van der Linden and Hannah Wetzel
Team 1040 from Lynfield College (Year 13): Angela Zhang, Yujia Wu, Daniel Adams and Jia Dua
Team 1051 from Saint Kentigern College (Mixed Year 12/13): Andrew Yian Chen, Tate McGregor, David Thibaud and Joshua Looker
Team 1141 from Wentworth College (Year 13): Robin Langdon, Tait Fuller and Alexander Gregory
Team 1049 from Whanganui High School (Year 13): Alister Hughes, Jesse Satherley, Liam Jones and Vitek Sosnowski
Team 1185 from Whangaparaoa College (Mixed Year 12/13): Regan James, Emma Hamilton, Connor Gentry and Harry Cull

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2017 competition

The New Zealand Engineering Science Competition was held on SATURDAY, 5 AUGUST from 9am-6pm.

How to register

Download, print and compete the paper registration form.
Each team member and the teacher needs to sign this form. This signifies that each team member has read the instructions and T&Cs for the competition and agrees to them. Click here to read the competition rules.
You now need to use the same information on the printed form to complete and submit this online form.
Email a soft copy of the completed/signed paper form to des-competition@auckland.ac.nz, or mail it to the provided postal address.

Registrations have now closed and the 2017 competition has ended. Judges are now deliberating, so watch this space!

Download the 2017 flyer here
(48.5 kB, PDF)

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The competition

The annual New Zealand Engineering Science competition is a problem solving event for teams of senior secondary students organised by the University of Auckland's Department of Engineering Science, and sponsored by Orion Health and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. This fun and challenging competition is for teams of three or four Year 12 or 13 students who are interested in mathematics and science.

Prizes

The first prize is $6,000, and there are two runner-up prizes of $2,000.

Questions from previous years

“If a New Zealand student uploads a video clip that goes viral, how long will it take before 1% of the world’s population has seen it?” (2015)

"If Mount Taranaki erupted, how much would it cost the aviation industry?" (2014)

“How many balloons would be required to provide balloon-powered internet coverage to all of New Zealand?” (2013)

"In the event that electronic tracking is unavailable, what size search area is required in order to retrieve the capsule?" (2012)

"If a severe Tsunami warning was issued, how long would it take to evacuate the 13,000 people who live on Te Atatu Peninsula?" (2011)

"How much fuel is required for a manned mission to Mars?" (2010)

"Could New Zealanders save enough electricity via energy efficiency improvements in homes to avoid New Zealand requiring an additional power station being constructed?" (2009)

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