New Zealand becomes the newest affiliated fair - À¦°óÇ¿¼é

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New Zealand becomes the newest affiliated fair

By Chyna Vargas

New Zealand Delegation Blog Post. Isabelle Aduna and Jesse Rumball-Smith at the opening ceremony.
Chris Ayers Photography/Licensed by À¦°óÇ¿¼é

While New Zealand finalists have participated in the International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) for years before, they have never had their own national fair. They always attended as part of the Australian delegation. Now, for the first time, New Zealand will be represented at ISEF under its own affiliation.ÌýÌý

This is a significantÌýmilestoneÌýfor the country, whereÌýÀ¦°óÇ¿¼é educationÌýis a growing priority for students.ÌýÌý

Holly Young,ÌýSenior Advisor Communications & Strategic EventsÌýatÌý,Ìýreflects on theÌýprocessÌýof bringingÌýthe affiliated fair toÌýfruition.ÌýÌý

Royal Society Te ApÄ�rangi is a nonprofit organization that advances and promotes science, technology and the humanities and serves as New Zealand’s national academy of scholars and researchers.ÌýÌý

The New Zealand science and technology fair scene is driven by passionate volunteers and young students who “follow their curiosityâ€�, Holly says. Regional fairs and STEAM academies have been running for over 50 years. However, there has been no national fair since 2014, leaving some programs unsupported and ultimately shut down. Ìý

“TeÌýApÄ�rangiÌýhas become an affiliate and will use this as a springboard to support the regional fairs, to foster scientific integrityÌýand to inspire students and fairÌýorganizersÌýto take their love of STEAM to the next level,â€�ÌýHolly says.ÌýÌý

With this new affiliated fair, Holly saysÌýteachers and studentsÌýmay feelÌýinspired to attend an international competition.ÌýThisÌýnational fairÌýhopes that more students are motivated to explore and completeÌýprojects.ÌýÌý

“We hopeÌýtoÌýincrease opportunities to engage with diverse communities and our Indigenous MÄ�ori and Pacific students who are traditionally underrepresented in these activities,â€� Holly says.ÌýÌý

Last year, in May 2025,ÌýÌýplaced in their categoriesÌýrepresentingÌýNew Zealand in the Australian Delegation.ÌýÌý

Isabelle says her experience felt surreal.ÌýÌý

“Imagine being surrounded byÌýnearly 2,000Ìýstudents from all over the world, each with projects that could genuinely change lives. It was overwhelming at first, but also incredibly inspiring,â€� Isabelle says. “I lovedÌýthe energy.ÌýEveryone was so passionate,ÌýcuriousÌýand eager to share ideas. I came away with new friends, new perspectivesÌýand deep joy and confidence in what young people can achieve.â€�Ìý

Isabelle placed third in the chemistry category for her project:Ìý.ÌýÌý

“When they called my name, I froze for a second. IÌýcouldn’tÌýbelieve it,â€� Isabelle says. “I felt incredibly grateful for the support I had received from mentors, my familyÌýand everyone who encouraged me along the way.ÌýRepresentingÌýNew Zealand on an international platform was anÌýhonorÌýthat IÌýwouldn’tÌýhave been able to achieve without an amazing community backing me.â€�Ìý

Jesse Rumball-SmithÌýwill return for , representing New Zealand and its new delegation.ÌýÌý

“ISEF 2025 blew me away,â€� Jesse says. “The most special part was meeting others who are passionate, diverse and far smarter than me, from across the globe. They were what made ISEF truly mind-blowing. I still talk to my ISEF friends to this day and would never have ended up at ISEF if it wasn’t for such passionate advocates.â€�ÌýÌý

2025 ISEF finalists Jesse Rumball-Smith in Columbus Ohio.

Jesse’sÌýISEFÌýstoryÌýbeganÌýin 2023.Ìý

“IÌýreached out toÌýtheÌýÌý(TISF) and convinced them toÌýallowÌýNew ZealandÌýto return after aÌýfive-yearÌýhiatusÌýdue to funding challenges,â€� Jesse says.ÌýÌý

After numerous emails and LinkedIn direct messages, Jesse secured enough funding to make the trip to the Taiwan International Science Fair. He ended up serving as the Head of Delegation, Chaperone, and competitor all at once.Ìý

“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who made my journey possible,â€� Jesse says. “I’m stoked to have helped get the ball rolling for future Kiwis to have a far easier ISEF qualification.â€�Ìý

Both Jesse andÌýIsabelle share similar advice when it comes toÌýrepresentingÌýNew Zealand at ISEF.ÌýPick a project that oneÌýtruly caresÌýabout.ÌýÌý

“IÌýdon’tÌýthink theÌýonlyÌýgoal should ever be toÌýwin a medalÌýor a prize.ÌýThe core of ISEF, I believe, is to disperse curiosity, passionÌýand good through the sharing of ideas andÌýmeetingÌýpeople,â€� Jesse says.ÌýÌý

“Explore what excites you enough to spend late nights researching and testing. Additionally,Ìýdon’tÌýbe afraid to ask for help. Mentors,ÌýteachersÌýand peers can give you insights that make your project stronger,â€� Isabelle says.ÌýÌý

You can learn more about their time at ISEF in thisÌý.ÌýÌý