Golden Bay Major Awards
Winners from other award categories will be entered in the following Major Awards:
- Best of Fair
- Best Overall Investigation
- Best Overall Research
- Best Overall Technology
Class Awards
Exhibits are automatically entered into the following year based awards. Prizes start from $150 for winners and $50 for highly commended.
Northpower Year 7
- Judges Award
- Best Research
- Best Scientific Investigation
- Best Technology
- Best in Year Exhibit
Engineering NZ / Science Award Trust / Beca Group Year 8
- Judges Award
- Best Research
- Best Scientific Investigation
- Best Technology
- Best in Year Exhibit
Northpower Year 9
- Judges Award
- Best Research
- Best Scientific Investigation
- Best Technology
- Best in Year Exhibit
Cook Costello Years 10-11
- Judges Award
- Best Research
- Best Scientific Investigation
- Best Technology
- Best in Year Exhibit
Tui Technology Years 12-13
- Highly Commended
- Highly Commended
- Peer Review
- Best in Year Exhibit
Premier Awards
Nominations for the following Premier Awards are made by the Central Northland Science & Technology Fair Committee.
The George (Hoori) Tuhiwai Memorial Award (Prize $500)
Awarded to the best project which integrates traditional scientific knowledge with traditional Māori knowledge (Matauranga Māori) or an aspect of the traditional Māori world (Te Ao Māori).
Examples might include:
An Investigation into an important element of Māori life (Tuna or Kina for example) where the findings can then benefit scientists and Iwi.
Or: An Investigation into traditional Māori medicines and the elements/properties that make made them effective.
Or: A technology project which adapts or modifies traditional tools or methods to solve a modern day problem.
Eligible projects should display more depth than just naming things in English and Māori. A Māori world view should be evident and applied throughout the entire project. It should be reflected in the topic, methods selected, reflection and application of any findings.
Sponsored by Northpower
Northpower Consistent Excellence Award (Prize $1000)
Years 12 – 13 ONLY
A tertiary award for a senior student continuing on to University education, who has entered three or more Science & Technology Fairs, consistently achieving a very high standard.
The prize is a $1000 one-off payment to assist the winner with university costs. The student will be planning on attending a New Zealand university within five years of obtaining the award.
Entry Criteria: To be eligible, students must:
- Be currently in Year 12 or 13 and have an entry in the current Science & Technology Fair.
- Have achieved a high standard in three or more Central Northland Science & Technology Fairs, achieving at a high level in these, as evidenced through winning awards. The current year can count as one of the three years.
- The winning student will be nominated by the Central Northland Science & Technology Fair Committee, based on their performance in the current and previous Central Northland Science & Technology Fairs.
Sponsored by Northpower
Northland Regional Council Environmental Excellence Award (Prize $1000)
Awarded to the project which best demonstrates a scientific approach to solving environmental concerns affecting water and/or land.
This award recognises creative and innovative students whose project demonstrate a strong scientific approach to solving environmental issues and concerns which will, in turn, protect and enhance our environment.
Sponsored by Northland Regional Council
Awatea Blue Ocean Innovation Award ($1,000)
Awarded to the project which best demonstrates a wider sustainable energy perspective for our oceans. Think sequestration of greenhouse gases, supporting waterway cleanup, cleaner shipping: reduction of emissions or sustainable food from Te Moana.
Sponsored by NZ Marine Energy Association AWATEA
Worley Engineering Digital Design, Electronics & Programing Award ($800)
A Project that utilises some aspects of the following:
- Mechanical engineering
- Plumbing
- Refrigeration
- Software in the design process
- Electronics
- Programming
Sponsored by Worley
Special Awards
Students may enter their exhibit for one Special Awards Theme.
Each Special Award is open to all exhibitors: Years 7 through to 13 inclusive. We have grouped the Special Awards into 7 Themes to aid student choice. Each student exhibit should be entered for one Special Awards Theme. The exhibit will then be considered for all the Special Awards within the chosen Theme.
Prizes are from $50 to $200.
Theme 1. The Living World:
Earth Science Award
An exhibit in the field of earth sciences or geology. Think earth stability, rocks, volcanoes, erosion – anything to do with the earth.
Sponsored by the Geoscience Society of NZ-Auckland Branch and Auckland Geology Club
Tiakina Whangarei Innovation and Enterprise Award
An exhibit linking science and/or technology to real world benefits and the economy.
Sponsored by Tiakina Whangarei
Ballance Agri-Nutrients Biological Monitoring Award
A project where the application of an appropriate or innovative monitoring protocol has been used to accurately estimate the abundance or size of a biological population.
Sponsored by Ballance
Theme 2. Dairy and Primary Industry:
Eco Trap NZ Dairy Industry Award
An exhibit dealing with matters/issues relating to the Dairy Industry in Northland. Think farming, milk/milk products, environmental issues.
Sponsored by Eco Trap NZ
Baking Industry Research Trust Award
An exhibit which shows the best understanding of flour usage or bakery products in their food related project. This award primarily deals with cereal products such as wheat, rye, oats, barley, rice etc. and their derivatives, e.g. flour, baking powder etc.
Sponsored by the New Zealand Baking Industry Research Trust
Advancement of Food Science & Technology Award
An exhibit relating to the study of food related topics including food safety, new or advancing formulations/ recipes, foods role in heath and well-being, the study of food ingredients, etc.
Sponsored by NZ Institute of Food Science & Technology
Tropical Fruit Growers of New Zealand Award
Investigations MUST focus on the Production of tropical fruit in Northland, including any aspect of propagation, cultivation, harvesting, processing or marketing.
Sponsored by Tropical Fruit Growers of New Zealand
Theme 3. Technology:
McKay Electrical Award
An exhibit that investigates, or develops a process involving; electrical use, electrical components, electrical systems, etc.
Sponsored by McKay Electrical
Chilltech Energy Efficiency Award
An exhibit that promotes energy efficiency in the home or workplace. Think insulation, heating/cooling issues.
Sponsored by Chilltech
BDX Engineering Award
An exhibit which shows an innovative and/or sustainable solution relating to an engineering issue.
Sponsored by BDX Group Ltd
Theme 4. Conservation/Environmental Management:
Marine Eco Awareness Award
An exhibit which encourages the responsible stewardship of our planet’s marine resources. This could include ways to reduce, reuse, recycle or replace existing technologies, practices or techniques.
Sponsored by The Boorer Family
Forest and Bird Protection Award
An exhibit that promotes the education of the public on the protection and appreciation of New Zealand’s native species, natural ecosystems and landscapes.
Sponsored by Forest and Bird
Bream Head Conservation Trust Award
An exhibit that covers a biosecurity or diversity issue for a given area within Central Northland with a view to enhancing the local environment.
Examples might include:
Biosecurity: Kauri dieback, introduced invertebrates and reptiles, introduced weeds, introduced bird and mammal species.
Biodiversity: survival of endangered species, reintroduction of absent species.
Sponsored by Bream Head Conservation Trust
AgFirst Conservation Award
An exhibit which shows an outstanding study on the conservation of one or more of New Zealand’s natural resources.
Sponsored by AgFirst
Theme 5. Science (Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Biology):
The Statistical Award
An exhibit displaying the best application of statistical methods and reasoning. Students will need to work through some or all of the following actions: Identify a problem, carry out an experiment or survey, analyse data and report conclusions using words, numbers and graphs working together to communicate the findings from their data. An exhibit that uses the most suitable mathematical modelling for their project.
Sponsored by New Zealand Statistical Association
Balance Manufacturing Award
An exhibit displaying the best use of sustainable materials in an innovative way to improve people’s everyday life.
Sponsored by Balance Advisors
Central Northland Regional Science Award
An outstanding exhibit which investigates a scientific issue related to Central Northland. Sponsored by Central Northland Science Fair
Math Matters Math Award
An exhibit that uses the most suitable mathematical modelling for their project. Sponsored by Math Matters
Theme 6. Health:
Dental and Oral Health Award
An exhibit which investigates methods to impove or technology which assists in the improvement of oral or dental health. This includes oral health education tools, causes of disease, disease prevention and improved oral hygiene.
Sponsored by The Northland Branch of the New Zealand Dental Association
Mudgway Chiropractic Public Health Safety Award
A scientific investigation of a safety issue, or development of a tool which enhances safety.
Sponsored by Mudgway Chiropractic
Te Pukenga Sports Specialist Award
A project that promotes the advancement of training for, or prevention of injuries in, sport.
Sponsored by Te Pukenga
Theme 7. Mātauranga Māori:
GNS R-CET te ao Māori Awards ($150 for each of three awards)
Three awards for the best projects incorporating te ao Māori into a Central Northland Science Fair project.
Award 1: Years 7-8
Award 2: Years 9-10
Award 3: Years 11+
Sponsored by GNS Science Rapid Characterisation of Earthquakes & Tsunamis (R-CET)