Waikato science fair winners announced

An investigation in a Hamilton gully by Waikato secondary school student earned him top prize in the annual NIWA Waikato Regional Science and Technology Fair. 

Sam Frengley, a Year 13 pupil at St Peter’s School, received $1000 for the best exhibit for investigating the phosphate context in the soil in a gully near his home. Sam wanted to see if there was a difference in phosphate concentration and therefore a difference in planting requirement. 

The investigation informed a planting plan for the gully.

The runner-up for the best exhibit was also from St Peter’s School. Arianna Lord, a Year 13 student, developed a quantitative system of measuring the health of an ecosystem.

Berkley Normal Middle School received the trophy for the best overall school. It had the highest number of winners and placegetters across all the fair categories.

About 380 entries from 27 schools around the region competed for about $14,000 in prizemoney.

NIWA congratulates the winners on their work and looks forward to seeing them develop their scientific interests in coming years. 

NIWA is also a major sponsor of the Auckland, Manukau, Bay of Plenty, and Wellington Science and Technology Fairs.

Further information

Read about all winners and sponsors from the fair