Schools & Interschools

NZCF Interschools Championship

The New Zealand Interschools Championship is organised by the New Zealand Chess Federation and regional organisers around New Zealand. The 2026 rules are available below (pdf document). The Interschool Coordinator for 2026 is Craig Hall – to contact him, please email craig.hall@newzealandchess.co.nz.

Updates for 2026: Auckland regions have been defined using Auckland Council wards as follows:

A school is in the Auckland region based on its ward as listed on the Education Counts website (under Territorial Authority): https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/directories/list-of-nz-schools. As an exception, if a school played in a different Auckland regional competition in 2025 to that indicated by the table, the school may continue to play in last year’s region (although are not required to). This exception will continue in future years as long as the school plays each year.

2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018 calendars and the 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 results can be viewed on the old NZCF website. Prior to 2017, the Interschools finals (only) results are available in the main NZCF results pages, accessible from the archives.

NZCF Interschools Events

Events are below in region then date order. Currently we do not have regional organisers for Gisborne, Manawatū-Whanganui or the West Coast of the South Island – if you are interested, please contact the Interschool Coordinator. To add official regional events or to update event information, regional organisers should also contact the Interschool Coordinator and NZCF Administrator.

2026 Regional Interschool Competitions

Northland

12 June Primary 1-6, Intermediate 7-8 and Secondary 9-13
Venue: McKay Stadium, Whangarei

North Shore

17 June Secondary 9-13 – Takapuna Grammar
19 June Primary 1-6 – Willow Park School
25 June Intermediate 7-8 – Northcote Intermediate
Registration with Flora Ren – nsjchess@gmail.com 

East Auckland

20 May Primary 1-6 – Point View Primary School
04 June Intermediate 7-8 – Somerville Intermediate School
17 June Secondary 9-13 – Bucklands Beach War Memorial Hall
Webpage: https://interschools.chessclub.nz/2026/east-auckland

West Auckland

19 June Primary 1-6
26 June Intermediate 7-8
3 July Secondary 9-13
Venue: Kelston Hall of New Lynn Sea Scout Group, 20 Albert Road, Kelston
Webpage: Auckland Chess Academy - Interschools

Central Auckland

3 August Primary 1-6
4 August Intermediate 7-8 and Secondary 9-13
Venue: Michaels Avenue Community Centre, 12 Elwood Place, Ellerslie
Webpage: Auckland Chess Academy - Interschools

South Auckland

27 May Primary 1-6 – Everglade Primary School
28 May Intermediate 7-8 – Greenmeadows Intermediate School
10 June Secondary 9-13 – Papatoetoe High School
Webpage: https://interschools.chessclub.nz/2026/south-auckland

Waikato

31 July Primary 1-6 and Intermediate 7-8
Time: 9:00am - 2:15pm
Venue: Performing Arts Centre, Berkley Normal Middle School
Webpage: http://tinyurl.com/nzcf2026

2 August Secondary 9-13
Time: 10am to 6pm
Venue: Hamilton Boys' High School, Peachgrove Road

Bay of Plenty

Taranaki

Hawkes Bay

8 May Primary 1-6, Intermediate 7-8 and Secondary 9-13
Venue: Hastings Sports Centre
Webpage: https://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/hastings/facilities/hastings-sports-centre/junior-chess/

Wellington

22 June Primary 1-6 – Newlands Primary: Entry Form (Primary)
24 June Intermediate 7-8 – HIBS: Entry Form (Intermediate)
25 June Secondary 9-13 – HIBS: Entry Form (Secondary)

Nelson-Tasman and Marlborough

12 June Primary 1-6, Intermediate 7-8 and Secondary 9-13
Venue: Nelson College, 67 Waimea Road, Nelson

Canterbury

23 June Primary 1-6
24 June Intermediate 7-8
25 June Secondary 9-13
Venue: Christchurch Multicultural Centre
Webpage: https://canterburychess.school.nz/competitions.html

Otago

6 June Primary 1-6 and Intermediate 7-8 – Trinity Catholic College, Dunedin
14 June Secondary 9-13 – Otago Boys' High School, in Dunedin
Entry form: https://otagochess.org/InterschoolChessInvite2026.pdf
Webpage: https://otagochess.org/tournaments.html#interschool

Southland

19 June Intermediate 7-8 and Secondary 9-13
Venue: James Hargest College (Senior Campus Library)

NZCF JUNIOR BADGES & CERTIFICATES – FOR SALE TO CHESS COACHES & CHESS TEACHERS

The New Zealand Chess Federation has a popular series of four written tests for pupils to take, and these tests can be supplied to chess teachers and coaches on request. A different badge and certificate is awarded as the pupil passes each test. There is no charge for e-mailing the PDF files of the written tests.

The badges and certificates can be purchased from NZCF as follows:

LEVEL 1 – PAWN BADGE and Level 1 CERTIFICATE $6

LEVEL 2 – KNIGHT BADGE and Level 2 CERTIFICATE $6

LEVEL 3 – BISHOP BADGE and Level 3 CERTIFICATE $6

LEVEL 4 – ROOK BADGE and Level 4 CERTIFICATE $6

ORDERS – Badges and certificates can be ordered from NZCF VP Paul Spiller, e-mail PaulSSpiller@outlook.com or phone 0274595176. Minimum order value $30. Postage added at cost, minimum $5 per shipment. Pick-up from Auckland also possible by arrangement.

FREE PDF FILES OF TESTS – Chess coaches and teachers can request these by emailing the NZCF Administrator.