Our 2025 Prize-giving –
GUESTS
Jonathan Moores (MSc) Regional Manager NIWA’s Auckland office
After a short video that outlined the many aspects that NIWA is involved with, Jonathan highlighted the many areas that students can consider for their future employment careers.
He then spoke about the merger of NIWA and GNS to form a new entity that is now known as the Earth Science Institute (ESI). The merger represents a greater opportunity to enhance the scientific capabilities in New Zealand.
While NIWA had major focus on Water and Atmospheric Research, conducting investigation into atmospheric conditions and both freshwater, and marine research, GNS researched causes and consequences of natural geological hazards, looking at causes and risks of geological hazards. They also looked at protecting New Zealand’s environment.
The students were congratulated on all the time and effort that was put into making the 2025 Fair such a success.
Dr. Gobindlal (PhD) Chief Technology Officer at Environmental Decontamination (NZ) Limited
Kapish caught everyone’s attention when he mentioned that he was a past pupil of Northcross Intermediate School. He attended Sherwood Primary School, so was very much a local lad. After Northcross Intermediate , Kapish completed his schooling at Rangitoto College. He went on to Auckland University and completed his B.Sc.(Chemistry). He then went out to work for a few years before starting his PhD.
His research has led to being a presenter at many international conferences and author or co-author to many publications.
He encouraged the students to follow their passion of science as success in this field can lead to many exciting opportunities in their futures.
The North Harbour science and technology fair….
The organisation is a registered charity and was established to promote good science, technology investigation and research for our school students on Auckland’s North Shore.
Each year we provide a platform for students from our schools where their investigations and research can be evaluated and judged.
Prizes and medals are awarded to the winning entries in each of various categories on offer.
Our 2025 Prize-giving
Convenors Report
2025 NIWA North Harbour Science and Technology Fair Report
It has been my pleasure to serve as co-convenor of the 2025 NIWA North Harbour Science and Technology Fair. Once again, students presented an inspiring range of innovative, high-quality projects. These undertakings require creativity, persistence, and countless hours of support from both parents and teachers – our sincere thanks go to them and to the participating schools.
This year, ten North Harbour schools submitted 99 projects involving more than 150 students. Judging on 29 August was carried out by teachers, industry professionals, university students, and our committee, with final moderation led by Chief Judge Sarah Allfrey. The following day’s open viewing session drew a large number of visitors.
Judges commended the depth and diversity of student work. We saw projects that ran the gamut: poultry pecking order, factors impacting blood sugar levels, water quality, the best flour to make cupcakes with, burning length of different wax types, to software that uses facial recognition to turn the page for a pianist.
We are grateful to Northcross Intermediate for hosting this year’s fair, and to Martene Matthews (Albany Junior High School), Kira Bacal (Auckland University Medical School), and Daniel Wyatt (Northcross) for delivering engaging and interactive science and technology sessions while judging took place. A special thank you to Anna Haine (University of Auckland) for coordinating and supporting the volunteer university judges.
Our sponsors play a vital role in making the fair possible. We particularly thank NIWA for their generous and ongoing financial support, as well as Tank, 3M, Bruce Morrison Quantity Surveyors, NZ Statistical Association and Statistics NZ, the Baking Industry Trust, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, and the Peace family. We also appreciated the time and expertise of Finn Barry and Jade Maggs from NIWA, who joined our judging team. Tank also provided lunch for the judges and vouchers for our student photographers.
This evening’s Prizegiving is again generously hosted by Northcross Intermediate – thank you for your ongoing support.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the tireless work of our committee, especially my co-convenor Mike Wade, whose dedication ensured the smooth running of this year’s fair. This year we also farewell two long-serving committee members: Bev Pantry (Carmel College), after 25 years of service, and Mike Wade, after 22 years. Their wisdom and commitment will be greatly missed.
Helen Haine
Co-Convener, 2025
Committee for 2026
Chief Judge Sarah Alfrey (Albany Junior High School)
Co-convenor Helen Haine (Albany Junior High School)
Co-convenor Adam Martin (Northcross Intermediate School)
Secretary Helen Haine (Albany Junior High School)
Members:
Martene Matthews – Albany Junior High School
Michelle Liang – Pinehurst College
Louise McMenamin – Northcross Intermediate School
Anna Haine – Auckland University
Vaha Fapiano – Northcote Intermediate School