Auckland school students put their mathematical skills to the test at the Auckland Maths Challenge, held at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, on 11 and 12 August.
Hosted at Hiwa Recreation Centre, the competition brought together Year 9 and 10 students on 11 Aug, followed by Year 7 and 8 students on 12 Aug, for two days of fast-paced problem-solving, teamwork and mathematical thinking.
The Auckland Maths Challenge is a team-based competition for students across Tāmaki Makaurau that celebrates excellence in STEM and creates culturally affirming learning environments, particularly for Māori and Pacific learners from primary through to secondary school.
Students worked collaboratively to tackle challenging mathematical problems while experiencing university life and connecting with like-minded peers who share a passion for mathematics.
University of Auckland Pathways Programme Manager and Auckland Maths Challenge co-founder Katalina Ma says the event is about far more than solving equations.
"It's exciting. It's always nice to be welcoming them here to Waipapa Taumata Rau," she says.
"We always talk about seeing a place that you could eventually see yourself in, so we're grateful to the faculty and staff from different offices across the University who have come through to support the tauira.
"More importantly, it's about seeing our young people. While university can seem a long way away for Year 7 and 8 students, these early engagements are important. Coming to see the space and being surrounded by other like-minded people who are interested in mathematics can hopefully contribute positively to keeping that dream alive."
Ma says the challenge helps young people recognise the opportunities that mathematics, science and higher education can unlock.
"Maths and science, and tertiary study more generally, are all ways of building on the solid foundations that families have built before them."
Events like the Auckland Maths Challenge show our young people that mathematics can be exciting, collaborative and full of possibility... they help students see that university is a place where they belong and where their future ambitions can take shape.
Katalina Ma Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland
A lifelong advocate for mathematics education, Ma spent 15 years teaching maths before joining the University. Throughout her career she has championed initiatives that encourage Māori and Pacific students to engage with STEM subjects and pursue tertiary study pathways.
The Auckland Maths Challenge reflects that commitment by giving students an opportunity to test their skills, build confidence and experience the excitement of collaborative problem-solving in a university environment.
Beyond the competition itself, the event highlights the University's commitment to supporting young learners and helping them imagine themselves as future university students. Staff from across the institution volunteered their time over the two days, demonstrating a collective commitment to creating pathways for the next generation.
As teams tackled increasingly demanding challenges, Hiwa buzzed with energy, determination and teamwork, hallmarks of a competition that continues to grow in impact and popularity.
The event was made possible through the support of several sponsors, including the Faculty of Business and Economics, whose contribution helped ensure a memorable experience for participating students.
"Events like the Auckland Maths Challenge show our young people that mathematics can be exciting, collaborative and full of possibility," says Ma.
"Just as importantly, they help students see that university is a place where they belong and where their future ambitions can take shape."
