Who We Are

NZIBO is organised by teachers, professionals working in the field of Biology and university students, keen to share their passion for Biology with New Zealand students.

Our August entry exam profiles current New Zealand research and asks students to read information, interpret graphs and use evidence to make decisions. Successful students enter a well-supported online tutorial programme using the Campbell and Reece Text; Biology and Pearson’s MasteringBiology online resources. Regular assignments are administered online by Education Perfect. Students study from August until February, with a break during NCEA exams. A fabulous ten-day residential training camp at Easter is the reward for the top 20 – 30 students from the tutorial programme. Camp selection is determined via an online exam in February/March. Campers complete laboratory practicals, field surveys and ecological studies while competing for the four places in the team that travels to represent NZ at the International Biology Olympiad.

The group relies heavily on sponsorship from tertiary organisations and business. All NZIBO organisers are volunteers and include program alumni in their ranks. We hope you will join us.

Objectives

NZIBO endeavours to foster excellence in biology and systems thinking in New Zealand secondary school students.

New Zealand representation is offered to New Zealand students who are New Zealand secondary school students who have been enrolled at a NZ secondary school for two years. NZIBO selects, from those it has trained, students to attend the International Olympiad in Biology.

Results

The 37th IBO was held in Vilnius, Lithuania in July 2026 (following host countries Philippines in 2025, Kazakhstan in 2024, and United Arab Emirates in 2023). Competing against students from 78 countries, New Zealand delivered a total medal sweep, maintaining an unbroken 22-year medal-winning streak.

To date, New Zealand has won a total of 2 Gold, 25 Silver, and 41 Bronze medals, remaining one of the few countries to bring home medals every single year of entry.

The NZ Biology Olympiad is extremely proud of the outstanding achievements of the four students who represented NZ at the 2026 IBO in Lithuania.

The students (shown L to R in the picture) are Nichole Luo (Macleans College) – Silver Medal, Alex Brinkworth (Central Southland College) – Bronze Medal, Luan Peterle (King’s High School) – Bronze Medal, and Ericsson Ye (Christ’s College) – Silver Medal.