NZCF Interschools
NZCF Interschools
The New Zealand Interschools Championship is organised by the New Zealand Chess Federation and regional organisers around New Zealand. The 2026 rules are available here (pdf document). The Interschool Coordinator for 2026 is Craig Hall – to contact him, please email craig.hall@nzcf.newzealandchess.co.nz.
Updates for 2026: Auckland regions have been defined using Auckland Council wards as follows:
| Interschool Region | Auckland Council Ward |
| North Shore | Rodney Ward |
| Albany Ward | |
| North Shore Ward | |
| West Auckland | Waitākere Ward |
| Whau Ward | |
| Central Auckland | Ōrākei Ward |
| Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa Ward | |
| Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Ward | |
| East Auckland | Howick Ward |
| Waitematā and Gulf Ward | |
| South Auckland | Manukau Ward |
| Manurewa-Papakura Ward | |
| Franklin Ward |
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 (North to South) 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 at 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
South Auckland
Wednesday 27 May Primary @ Everglade Primary School
Thursday 28 May Intermediate @ Greenmeadows Intermediate School
Wednesday 10 June Secondary @ Papatoetoe High School
Webpage: https://interschools.chessclub.nz/2026/south-auckland
East Auckland
Wednesday 20 May Primary @ Point View Primary School
Thursday 04 June Intermediate @ Somerville Intermediate School
Wednesday 17 June – Secondary @ Bucklands Beach War Memorial Hall
Webpage: https://interschools.chessclub.nz/2026/east-auckland
West Auckland
Primary
Date: June 19, 2026
Intermediate
Date: June 26, 2026
Secondary
Date: July 3, 2026
Auckland Chess Academy – Interschools
Central Auckland
Primary
Date: August 3, 2026
Intermediate
Date: August 4, 2026
Secondary
Date: August 4, 2026
Auckland Chess Academy – Interschools
Bay of Plenty
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
Sunday 2 August Secondary 9-13 – 10am to 6pm – Hamilton Boys’ High School, Peachgrove Road
Hawkes Bay
Friday 8 May 2026 – Hawke’s Bay Districts Teams Tournament (primary, intermediate and secondary)
Hastings Sports Centre https://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/hastings/facilities/hastings-sports-centre/junior-chess/
Taranaki
Wellington
22 June Primary 1-6 – Newlands Primary
24 June Intermediate 7-8 – HIBS
25 June Secondary 9-13 – HIBS
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
Intermediate and Primary on Saturday 6 June at Trinity Catholic College in Dunedin
Secondary on Sunday 14 June at Otago Boy’s HS in Dunedin
Entry form: https://otagochess.org/InterschoolChessInvite2026.pdf
Webpage: https://otagochess.org/tournaments.html#interschool
Southland
Intermediate (Years 7 & 8) and Secondary Schools (Years 9-13)
James Hargest College (Senior Campus Library)
Friday 24 July 2026