2025/26 NZ Kiwibots VEX V5RC National Championships: PUSH BACK.
New Zealand High School VEX Push Back Nationals 2025/2026
- Date
- 20-Feb-2026 - 22-Feb-2026 Add to Calendar
- Event Code
- RE-V5RC-25-1404
- Program
- VEX V5 Robotics Competition
- Event Type
- Open Tournament
- Event Format
- In-Person
- Field Control System
- Smart Field Control
- Capacity
- 90
- Spots Open
- 16
- Event Region
- New Zealand
- Max Registrations per Organization
- 8
- Standard Registration Opens
- 1-Sep-2025 12:00 EDT
- Registration Deadline
- 16-Feb-2026 12:00 EST
- Payment Deadline
- 6-Feb-2026 17:00 EST
- It is past the registration deadline.
General Info
We are so excited to bring you the 2025/26 "PUSH BACK" VEX V5RC Nationals, where teams from all over Aotearoa will compete over two days to gain the coveted title of National Champions and to qualify for invitations on the global stage at the World Championships in USA, April 2026.
This event will be held at Onehunga High School
24 Pleasant Street, Onehunga, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland
Registration Fee
The registration fee for this event is $250 NZD per team. Please do not pay through Robot Events as teams will be invoiced through KIWIBOTS directly.
Check-in
The check-in for the event will be held on Friday 20th February 2026, from 16:00 (4pm) to 18:00 (6pm). Teams must present at least one team member with the robot to check-in and complete inspection in order to be able to compete at the event. Teams who do not check in on the Friday 20th February will not be included in qualification matches over the weekend.
Design Notebooks
Design notebooks need to be submitted ONLINE ONLY before the start of the tournament.
Please see the Judging Guide and Judging Addendum released by RECF if you have any concerns.
Other Information
Please note: as this is a blended event if a Middle School team wins Tournament Champion they will NOT automatically be eligible for a Vex World Championship spot. There is an Excellence Award for Middle School. The team winning overall Middle School Excellence will qualify for a spot at World Champs.
We have some brilliant judges lined up from Smales Farm, University of Auckland Engineering, Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Foundation, PowerCo, Caliber Design, SMC, Facteon and more!
We are forever grateful to our major supporters:
Smales Farm, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Foundation, University of Auckland Engineering, Eaton and SMC.
More information for competitors and volunteers will be released soon, so keep an eye out for updates!
Grade Level: All
Skills Challenge Offered: Yes
Judging Format: All In-Person Judging
Skills Challenge Offered for VURC/VAIRC teams: No
Event Dates & Locations
Date: 20-Feb-2026 - 22-Feb-2026
Venue/Location:24 Pleasant Street
Auckland, Auckland 1061
New Zealand
Contact the Event Partner
You must login to contact this Event PartnerAgenda
Agenda: "PUSH BACK" V5RC 2025/26 Nationals
Below is a DRAFT of the schedule, which will be confirmed at Team Registration:
|
Friday 20th Feb 2026 |
|
Saturday 21st Feb 2026 |
| Sunday 22nd Feb 2026 8:30am Doors Open 9:00am - 12:00pm Qualification Matches 12:00pm - 1:00pm LUNCH. Skills Fields Close 1:00pm Alliance Selection 1:00pm - 3:00pm Knock-Out Matches, Awards 3:00pm - 4:30pm Semi Finals and Finals Matches, Awards Ceremony, Event Close |
Volunteer
Huge ngā mihi nui to everyone who will sign up to volunteer!
Links available through our pānui, or please complete this form:
https://tinyurl.com/V5RC-Complete-Volunteer-form
Or email [email protected]
Tū meke :)
Emergency/Bad Weather Policy
There is no bad weather contingency as this event is indoors.
In case of any unforeseen weather disasters we will email/contact teams directly.
Refund and Payment Policies
If the Event Partner cancels the event:
If the event is cancelled, registration fees will be credited back as appropriate.
If a Coach/Mentor completes registration for the event then chooses to withdraw or not attend:
Due to organisational prior cost commitments, NO REFUNDS will be given if you choose not to compete. However, you can apply for a discount off a future Kiwibots Shopify purchase.
Health and Safety Policies
Please see separate documentation, as per venue and Kiwibots Health and Safety requirements.
Date: 20-Feb-2026 - 22-Feb-2026
Onehunga High School24 Pleasant Street
Auckland, Auckland 1061
New Zealand
Travel Info
Not applicable.
Webcast
The Nationals will be live streamed via the Kiwibots YouTube Channel over both days of competition.
Links available on the Kiwibots facebook page.
Judging Format
Digital Engineering Notebook Submissions / In Person Team Interviews: Team interviews will be conducted in-person at the event. Engineering notebooks will be submitted digitally for evaluation via a link found within the "My Account" panel of the team contact on RobotEvents. A submission deadline that may be scheduled ahead of the event date.