Chemistry Olympiad

The 2024 NZ team: Seivin Kim (Avondale College), Alex Geron (St Kentigern College), Yina (Ena) Yin (St Cuthbert’s College), Daniel Xian (St Kentigern College).

NZ Chemistry Olympiad competition

The NZChO test 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. It is designed for any Y12 or below student. The September exam will be based on knowledge required for L2 NCEA Chemistry – extracurricular study is not expected. 

Students will be awarded Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit certificates based on their level of achievement.

International Chemistry Olympiad

The International Chemistry Olympiad, IChO, started in Eastern Europe in 1968 and has grown to about 90 countries with New Zealand first competing in 1992. The 57th Olympiad is to be held in the United Arab Emirates in July 2025.
The New Zealand Chemistry Olympiad Trust is a member of the Science Olympianz Association.

The results of the NZChO competition in September will be used to select the students who are invited to participate in a training group over the summer. This will extend their chemistry knowledge (up to a level suitable to help prepare students for Scholarship Chemistry). Note: If you were in the training group previously, you do not need to sit the NZChO competition again in September. You may be directly included in the training team but you must confirm this to Dr Jan Giffney by email (jan@giffney.co.nz).

Those students in the training group will be invited to participate in a selection test for a residential camp in Auckland, normally during the Term 1 school holidays. During this camp, students will participate in lectures and labs, with final exams to determine the four students who will be selected to represent New Zealand at the annual International Chemistry Olympiad competition. However, note that the following additional criteria will apply for eligibility to attend the camp.

To be eligible to attend the camp, students must be under 20 and must be fully enrolled at high school prior to the IChO in July, but may do up to 2 courses at University level (excluding chemistry courses) prior to the international competition. Students must also be a NZ Citizen or permanent resident, and have attended school in NZ for at least two of the last 4 years at the time of accepting a place at the camp for the training group. Students must be at least 15 years of age at the time of the camp. No more than three students will be selected from any one school.

Registration for New Zealand Chemistry Olympiad competition

Registration will begin from June and will remain open until mid-September.

The cost for registration is $40 + fees. Contact us if you require invoicing.