University of Auckland Maths Challenge
The Maths competition that serves as a stepping stone to a variety of opportunities
Maths doesn’t have to be boring - put your maths skills to the test and duke it out with students from other schools across Auckland. Prepare yourself to succeed beyond high school by engaging in competitive maths with us.
Make that first step you take a fun one
The University of Auckland Maths Challenge (MC) is an awesome starting point for Māori and Pacific students from as young as Year 5 to build up confidence and skills within and beyond maths.
Maths is like a muscle; you need to work it out regularly to become strong. And once you do, you quickly find out that there is so much more you are capable of.
Our Maths Challenge is similar to the Auckland Mathematical Association’s Mathex competition; a set of preparatory events to gauge your interest in math done in this way and understanding that math is a discipline that requires practice.
Competitiveness means pressure, so in addition to crunching numbers, the ability to be resilient, think on your feet and strategize effectively - on top of working with others - is crucial.
Using the Maths Challenge to hop towards other stepping stones
As mentioned before, Maths Challenge can be your first step towards a number of other amazing opportunities offered by the University:
- University Entrance
- Whakapiki Ake
- Pacific Health Wayfinder
- Apollo
- STEM Online
- Women in Engineering
- Pacific Academy
Upcoming Maths Challenge events
Year 9 and 10
South and East Auckland
| Date | Event number | Host school |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 6 May 2025 | 1 | Ōtahuhu College |
| Thursday 22 May 2025 | 2 | De La Salle College |
| Tuesday 3 June 2025 | 3 | Auckland Seventh-day Aventist High School |
| Wednesday 18 June 2025 | 4 | Tangaroa College |
| Wednesday 23 July 2025 | 5 | Ōtahuhu College |
Year 9 and 10
Central and West Auckland
| Date | Event number | Host school |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 12 May 2025 |
1 | Rutherford College |
| Wednesday 28 May 2025 |
2 | St Peters College |
| Tuesday 10 June 2025 |
3 | Rutherford College |
| Tuesday 22 July 2025 |
4 | Rutherford College |
Year 7 and 8
South and East Auckland
| Date | Event number | Host school |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 15 May 2025 | 1 | Point England School |
| Thursday 29 May 2025 | 2 | De La Salle College |
| Thursday 12 June 2025 | 3 | Point England School |
| Thursday 24 July 2025 | 4 | De La Salle College |
About us
Katalina Ma and Josephina Tamatoa started the Maths Challenge (then known as the South Auckland Maths Challenge (SAMC)) in South Auckland back in 2019 with a primary focus on offering preparatory events for Māori and Pasifika students to engage in competitive maths.
They have now expanded the Maths Challenge to include events in central-west Auckland, as well as early exposure events for Year 7 and Year 8 students in Central, East, and South Auckland, and events for Year 5 and Year 6 students in Central and South Auckland.