NZSA continued to sponsor special prizes for statistics at the regional science fairs around the country in 2003. Again we combined with Statistics New Zealand and together we provided $80 for prizes at each fair with which we could make contact. We split the prize money into senior and junior prizes where possible and we also presented some certificates of merit for other worthy exhibits. NZSA members selected the prize-winners at those fairs within reasonable reach.

We actually offered prizes at 22 fairs in 2003 - I failed to make contact with 1 fair in Auckland, and a new fair was created in Western Bay of Plenty for the first time without my knowledge.  These were all well received and I received numerous letters of thanks from both organisers and prize-winners.

 It was reported back almost universally last year that the number of senior entries had fallen dramatically, possibly due to the pressures of NCEA. However, the judges I have spoken to seem to feel our presence and our prizes were still useful and that, even in the past, the junior exhibits had often been more interesting / deserving than the senior ones. There were mixed reports about the quality of the exhibits at the different fairs this year, with some judges reporting much better use of statistical techniques and other judges being disappointed. Overall, it seems our efforts are worthwhile and that our involvement is a valuable opportunity to encourage students.

It was also felt that our prize money was rather low for many of the fairs. We hadn’t raised our prize money for years - it has been $50 per fair from NZSA since before I became involved in about 1996, and it increased to $80 when we asked SNZ to combine with us in 1997. Many fairs have asked me for several years to increase the amount, but agreed to continue at the existing level as we were long term sponsors. Most fairs now have the lowest level of sponsorship at around the $150 level, although there is variety among the fairs - Wairarapa find our $80 too large and insist on breaking it into 5 or more awards, while South Canterbury have already joined our money with that from another sponsor to allow a prize to be awarded to each of their 3 age groups. The NZSA exec has agreed to raise their contribution to $60 per fair and has asked SNZ to increase their share to $60 per fair as well, allowing us to offer $120 at each fair. We are still awaiting approval for this.

Finally, I would like to thank all the members who have given up their time to judge for the NZSA again this year and I hope that I will be able to call on you all again in the coming months.