Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand

The International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics is a highly competitive global competition, testing students in theoretical astrophysics, observational astronomy, and data analysis.

We are proud to present our 2026 team, representing Aotearoa New Zealand for only the third time in the competition's history. Selected from schools across the country, these talented students have trained hard all year to master topics well beyond the NZ curriculum.

In the team's words…

"Astrophysics and astronomy are genuine passions of mine because they allow me to understand the universe beyond our solar system, from modelling gravitational interactions to analysing celestial objects through spectroscopy. Competing at the IOAA would allow me to deepen my knowledge, learn alongside talented students from around the world, and proudly represent New Zealand and St Cuthbert's College. With the support of my community, I also hope to inspire more young women to see astronomy and other STEM fields as places where they can belong and succeed." – Jackie Xu, St Cuthbert's College

This year's competition takes place in Hanoi, Vietnam, from September 25 – October 5, 2026. We are seeking support to fund the team's trip: return flights (~$2200), the entry fee ($2400), and uniforms and training materials.

Any support, big or small, will be gratefully received and will help these students on their scientific journey.