University Challenge (New Zealand game show)

University Challenge is a long-running New Zealand television quiz show, running originally from 1976 to 1989 before its revival in 2014 after a 25-year hiatus. The format was based on the British show of the same name, which was itself based on the American College Bowl. The 2014–2017 series were produced by Cue TV in Invercargill. The title holders are the University of Canterbury, who won the final series on 21 January 2017.

University Challenge
Logo for the 2014–2017 version.
Based on
Presented by
  • Peter Sinclair (series 1–2, 5–14)
  • Richard Higham (series 3–4)
  • Tom Conroy (series 15–17)
Country of originNew Zealand
Original languageEnglish
No. of series17
No. of episodes
  • 204 in total
  • Series 1: 9
  • Series 2–14: 10
  • Series 15: 31
  • Series 16: 19
  • Series 17: 15
Production
Producers
  • Wayne Cameron (series 1–5)
  • Max Cryer (series 6–8)
  • Derek Wooster (series 9–11)
  • Brian Stewart (series 12–14)
  • Sheree Carey (series 15–17)
Production locations
Camera setupSplit screen
Production companies
Original release
Network
Release26 August 1976 (1976-08-26) –
21 January 2017 (2017-01-21)

History

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Peter Sinclair, pictured during production of University Challenge in 1989

At its inception in 1976, University Challenge was hosted by Peter Sinclair, though he was briefly dropped in the late 1970s and replaced by University of Otago lecturer Charles Higham.[1] Sinclair returned after just two seasons, and continued in this capacity until the show went into hiatus in 1989. The first series was filmed in the Union Hall, in Otago University's student union building. Later series were filmed in TVNZ's Dunedin studio. It was sponsored by the BNZ, who provided prizes for some of the series. For example, one year, they gave each member of the winning team "an Apple Macintosh computer system, plus a BNZ campus pack account with a $500 credit balance".[2] Ten episodes were aired each year, with the exception of the first season, when there were nine. Most seasons were broadcast on TVNZ channel TV One; those that were not screened on its partner channel TV2. When TVNZ's Dunedin studio was closed and TVNZ moved premises to Auckland, they decided to drop the show.[2]

In July 2014, 25 years after TVNZ stopped producing University Challenge, Cue TV revived the show with station owner Tom Conroy as host.[3] Some of the science questions were replaced with more populist material to enable greater involvement from the audience at home.[2][4] It began airing on Prime in November 2014.

Series overview

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Series Year Channel Host Winning team
University Team members
1 1976 TV One Peter Sinclair University of Otago Grant Liddell, Mark Allan, Dennis King, Bruce MacKay
2 1977 Graham Pendreigh, Nicholas Dodd, Stephen Kennedy, Wayne McLachlan
3 1978 Richard Higham Graeme Smaill, Robin St. Clair, Paul Corwin, Michael Jackson
4 1979 University of Canterbury Richard Surridge, Graham Buckley, Brian Wilson, Martin Browne
5 1980 Peter Sinclair University of Otago Jocelyn Brown (now Jaquiery), James McPetrie, Bruce Russell, Grant Holloway
6 1981 TV2 University of Canterbury Liz Wilson, Jill Scott, Alistair Fletcher, Peter Clayworth
7 1982 Massey University Bryan Kirk, Judith Bowen, Richard Major, Richard Rumball
8 1983 TV One Victoria University of Wellington Daniel Morgan, Stewart Bartlett, Dean Sole, Jeremy Millar
9 1984 University of Otago James Dignan, Geoff Boon, Richard Soper, Nick Thompson
10 1985 University of Auckland Adam Lowe, Lindsay Diggelmann, Scott Mataga, Grant Shirreffs
11 1986 University of Otago Prudence Scott, Richard Nyhof, Camilla Owen, Clive Copeman
12 1987 University of Auckland Graham Coop, Sue Jensen, Charles Chauvel, Bruce Williams
13 1988 University of Canterbury Mark Wilson, Alex Lojkine, Jolisa Wood (now Gracewood), Tony Smith
14 1989 University of Waikato Keith Sircombe, Wendy Moffitt, Duncan Stewart, Stephen Brown
15 2014 Prime Tom Conroy University of Canterbury Gerald Pfeifer (c), Rachael Harris, Daniel Redmond, Stewart Alexander, Liam Boardman
16 2015 University of Auckland Alistair Kendrick (c), Hemanth Nair, Sana Oshika, David Parfitt, Lucy Harrison
17 2016 University of Canterbury Stewart Alexander (c), Jack Hayes, Catherine O'Donnell-Jackways, Liam Boardman, Alexander Amies

Format

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Waikato and Canterbury get set to face the questioning of Peter Sinclair (far right) during the 1986 series

As with the British show, "starter" questions are answered individually "on the buzzer", and are worth 10 points. The team answering a starter correctly gets a set of "bonus" questions worth a potential fifteen points, over which they can confer. In the last few series before the show's hiatus, a "jackpot bonus" was also available once per game, signalled by a bell. In that, each part of the bonus was worth five points, but getting all three parts right doubled the value of the question to 30 points.

An incorrect interruption of a starter results in a five-point penalty. The pace of questioning gradually increases through the show, becoming almost frantic in the last minute or so before the "gong" which signals the end of the game. In the event of a tied score at the sound of the gong, a "sudden death" question is to be asked (although in practice this has never occurred). In this circumstance the first team to answer correctly would be deemed the winner, with the process repeated until one of the teams answers correctly.

The format of the competition for its original run – with the exception of the debut season – was seven first-round matches, with each of the teams competing twice (having been randomly drawn against their opponents). Two semi-finals between the highest points-scorers followed, after which there was a single final match. In the first season, the first round consisted of three knockout heats, the seventh team then competing with the highest-scoring losing side for the last semi-final position. Unlike later series, the final in this series was staged over three legs.

For series 15, the competition was in a round-robin format.[2] From series 16, the teams were divided into two pools.

Teams consist of four members, each team representing a New Zealand university. In the revived series, each team also has a reserve member. All six of the universities in New Zealand at the time competed (Auckland, Canterbury, Massey, Otago, Victoria and Waikato), along with a seventh team, representing Lincoln College (now Lincoln University). From series 15, the Auckland University of Technology also competes.

During the original run of 14 series, shows were half an hour in length, with question time being approximately 27 minutes during the first 13 seasons, and 21 minutes during the last season (the show was reduced to 25 minutes in length for this season). The show would occupy a mid-evening spot, generally around 8pm. This same spot was also occupied by the annual quiz series Mastermind, also hosted by Peter Sinclair, with University Challenge commencing one week after the Mastermind final.

The show is broadcast in a split screen format, which led to a widespread rumour in the 1980s that the set was constructed so that one team was seated immediately above the other.[2]

Notable contestants

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Several team members from University Challenge have gone on to make a name for themselves in other fields, among them:

from the University of Auckland
from the University of Canterbury
from the University of Otago

Original run, 1976–1989

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Series 1

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The first series was filmed in Dunedin and screened on TV One in 1976. Unlike other series, it consisted of four knockout heats (the highest-scoring loser of the first three heats competed again, against the seventh university), and the final was held over three legs. The series was hosted by Peter Sinclair and produced by Wayne Cameron.[5] The University of Otago won the series, defeating the University of Canterbury in the finals.

Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Heats
1 26 August 1976 Otago ? ? Un­known
2 2 September 1976 Auckland ? ? Un­known
3 9 September 1976 Un­known
4 16 September 1976 Canterbury ? ? Massey
Semi-finals
5 23 September 1976 Otago ? ? Un­known
6 30 September 1976 Canterbury ? ? Auckland
Final (three legs)
7–9 7, 14, 21 October 1976 Otago 2 1 Canterbury

Series 2

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The second series was filmed in Dunedin in August 1977 and screened later in the same year on TV One. The University of Otago won the series, defeating Massey University in the finals.

Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Heats
1 6 September 1977 Un­known
2 13 September 1977 Un­known
3 20 September 1977 Un­known
4 27 September 1977 Un­known
5 4 October 1977 Un­known
6 11 October 1977 Otago Victoria
7 18 October 1977 Un­known
Semi-finals
8 25 October 1977 Massey ? ? Un­known
9 1 November 1977 Otago ? ? Canterbury
Final
10 8 November 1977 Otago ? ? Massey

Series 3

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The third series was filmed in Dunedin on 18–21 August 1978 and screened later in the same year on TV One. The series was the first one to be presented by Richard Higham. The University of Otago won the series, defeating Victoria University of Wellington in the finals.

Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Heats
1 5 September 1978 Massey 40 290 Victoria
2 12 September 1978 Otago 225 185 Canterbury
3 19 September 1978 Waikato 75 285 Auckland
4 26 September 1978 Lincoln 240 60 Massey
5 3 October 1978 Victoria 220 245 Otago
6 10 October 1978 Canterbury 235 110 Waikato
7 17 October 1978 Auckland 190 170 Lincoln
Semi-finals
8 24 October 1978 Victoria ? ? Canterbury
9 31 October 1978 Otago ? ? Auckland
Final
10 7 November 1978 Otago ? ? Victoria

Series 4

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The fourth series was filmed in Dunedin in August 1979 and screened later in the same year on TV One. The University of Canterbury won the series, defeating the University of Auckland in the finals.

Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Heats
1 18 September 1979 Otago 135 205 Auckland
2 25 September 1979 Waikato 130 285 Victoria
3 2 October 1979 Massey 215 175 Canterbury
4 9 October 1979 Lincoln 140 180 Otago
5 16 October 1979 Auckland 200 140 Waikato
6 23 October 1979 Victoria 185 275 Massey
7 30 October 1979 Canterbury 355 5 Lincoln
Semi-finals
8 6 November 1979 Auckland 275 225 Massey
9 13 November 1979 Canterbury ? ? Victoria
Final
10 20 November 1979 Canterbury ? ? Auckland

Series 5

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The fifth series was filmed in Dunedin in August 1980 and screened later in the same year on TV One. Peter Sinclair returned as host. The University of Otago won the series, defeating Victoria University of Wellington in the finals.

Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Heats
1 17 October 1980 Otago Canterbury
2 24 October 1980 Victoria Lincoln
3 31 October 1980 Auckland Massey
4 7 November 1980 Waikato Otago
5 14 November 1980 Canterbury Victoria
6 21 November 1980 Lincoln Auckland
7 28 November 1980 Massey Waikato
Semi-finals
8 5 December 1980 Otago ? ? Auckland
9 12 December 1980 Victoria ? ? Massey
Final
10 19 December 1980 Otago ? ? Victoria

Series 6

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The sixth series was filmed in Dunedin in August 1981 and screened later in the same year. Unlike previous series, the 1981 edition screened on TV One's sister channel, TV2. The series was produced by Max Cryer. The University of Canterbury won the series, defeating the University of Otago in the finals.

Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Heats
1 3 October 1981 Massey 130 235 Canterbury
2 10 October 1981 Lincoln 160 315 Otago
3 17 October 1981 Auckland Victoria
4 24 October 1981 Waikato Massey
5 31 October 1981 Canterbury Lincoln
6 7 November 1981 Otago Auckland
7 14 November 1981 Victoria Waikato
Semi-finals
8 21 November 1981 Massey ? ? Otago
9 28 November 1981 Victoria 160 195 Canterbury
Final
10 5 December 1981 Canterbury ? ? Otago

Series 7

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The seventh series was filmed in Dunedin in August 1982 and screened later in the same year on TV2. Massey University won the series, defeating the University of Canterbury in the finals.

Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Heats
1 25 September 1982 Otago ? ? Waikato
2 2 October 1982 Un­known
3 9 October 1982 Un­known Lincoln
4 16 October 1982 Canterbury ? ? Otago
5 23 October 1982 Waikato Un­known
6 30 October 1982 Un­known
7 6 November 1982 Lincoln ? ? Canterbury
Semi-finals
8 13 November 1982 Auckland 170 210 Canterbury
9 20 November 1982 Massey ? ? Otago
Final
10 27 November 1982 Massey ? ? Canterbury

Series 8

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The eighth was filmed in Dunedin in August 1983, and returned to TV One, screening on Sundays later in the same year. Unusually, each university won one and lost one of their heats. This was the closest of all the original run of series, with three games decided by just five points. The final was low-scoring, due in part to the final being "Christmas themed" (for broadcast just prior to Christmas), something that none of the teams had prepared for or were aware of prior to filming. Victoria University of Wellington won the series, defeating the University of Auckland in the finals.

Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Heats
1 15 October 1983 Waikato 135 185 Canterbury
2 22 October 1983 Otago 160 190 Victoria
3 29 October 1983 Auckland 170 175 Massey
4 5 November 1983 Lincoln 140 170 Waikato
5 12 November 1983 Canterbury 65 280 Otago
6 19 November 1983 Victoria 160 180 Auckland
7 26 November 1983 Massey 140 145 Lincoln
Semi-finals
8 3 December 1983 Otago 150 155 Auckland
9 10 December 1983 Massey 135 185 Victoria
Final
10 17 December 1983 Victoria 115 45 Auckland

Series 9

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The ninth series was filmed in Dunedin on 17–19 August 1984 and screened towards the end of the same year on TV One. The series was hosted by Peter Sinclair with booth announcer Hal Weston. The series was directed by Brian Stewart and produced by Derek Wooster. The University of Otago won the series, defeating the University of Auckland in the finals.

Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Heats
1 21 October 1984 Lincoln 155 280 Massey
2 28 October 1984 Auckland 330 105 Victoria
3 4 November 1984 Canterbury 275 125 Waikato
4 11 November 1984 Otago 290 85 Lincoln
5 18 November 1984 Victoria 225 210 Canterbury
6 25 November 1984 Massey 105 320 Auckland
7 2 December 1984 Waikato 110 330 Otago
Semi-finals
8 9 December 1984 Auckland 300 120 Canterbury
9 16 December 1984 Otago 260 205 Massey
Final
10 23 December 1984 Auckland 190 280 Otago

Series 10

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The tenth series was filmed in Dunedin in August 1985 and screened later in the same year on TV One. The University of Auckland won the series, defeating the University of Canterbury in the finals.

Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Heats
1 20 October 1985 Victoria 65 230 Auckland
2 27 October 1985 Waikato 125 220 Canterbury
3 3 November 1985 Otago 105 165 Lincoln
4 10 November 1985 Massey 210 100 Victoria
5 17 November 1985 Canterbury 175 155 Otago
6 24 November 1985 Auckland 220 95 Waikato
7 1 December 1985 Lincoln 160 135 Massey
Semi-finals
8 8 December 1985 Massey 100 265 Canterbury
9 15 December 1985 Lincoln 160 270 Auckland
Final
10 22 December 1985 Auckland 235 170 Canterbury

Series 11

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The eleventh series was filmed in Dunedin in August 1986 and screened between September and November on TV One. The series was presented by Peter Sinclair with John Jones replacing Hal Weston as booth announcer. The series was directed by Brian Stewart. The University of Otago won the series, defeating the University of Waikato in the finals.

Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Heats
1 11 September 1986 Otago 225 200 Waikato
2 18 September 1986 Canterbury 235 210 Victoria
3 25 September 1986 Massey 65 245 Auckland
4 2 October 1986 Lincoln 130 230 Otago
5 9 October 1986 Victoria 70 280 Massey
6 16 October 1986 Auckland 145 180 Lincoln
7 23 October 1986 Waikato 160 275 Canterbury
Semi-finals
8 30 October 1986 Canterbury 185 240 Otago
9 7 November 1986 Waikato 250 200 Auckland
Final
10 14 November 1986 Otago 205 150 Waikato

Series 12

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The twelfth series was filmed in Dunedin on 19–21 August 1987 and screened towards the end of the same year on TV One. This series of the contest was unusual in that every one of the competing sides won one and lost one heat. The series was presented by Peter Sinclair with John Jones as booth announcer, and was produced and directed by Brian Stewart. Uniquely among the original run of the show, there was a two-week gap between the broadcasting of two heats, to allow for a television special to be played on 25 October. The University of Auckland won the series, defeating the University of Waikato in the finals.

Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Heats
1 13 September 1987 Canterbury 225 180 Otago
2 20 September 1987 Auckland 210 140 Victoria
3 27 September 1987 Lincoln 140 110 Waikato
4 4 October 1987 Massey 130 115 Canterbury
5 11 October 1987 Victoria 160 130 Lincoln
6 18 October 1987 Waikato 195 110 Massey
7 1 November 1987 Otago 210 160 Auckland
Semi-finals
8 8 November 1987 Auckland 185 160 Canterbury
9 15 November 1987 Otago 105 140 Waikato
Final
10 22 November 1987 Auckland 245 85 Waikato

Series 13

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The thirteenth series was filmed in Dunedin in August 1988 and screened towards the end of the same year on TV One. The series was presented by Peter Sinclair with John Jones as booth announcer, and was produced and directed by Brian Stewart. The University of Canterbury won the series, defeating the University of Waikato in the finals.

Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Heats
1 11 September 1988 Otago 225 200 Waikato
2 18 September 1988 Canterbury 235 210 Victoria
3 25 September 1988 Massey 65 245 Auckland
4 2 October 1988 Lincoln 130 230 Otago
5 9 October 1988 Victoria 70 280 Massey
6 16 October 1988 Auckland 145 180 Lincoln
7 23 October 1988 Waikato 160 275 Canterbury
Semi-finals
8 30 October 1988 Otago 185 240 Canterbury
9 6 November 1988 Waikato 250 200 Auckland
Final
10 13 November 1988 Canterbury 205 150 Waikato

Series 14

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The fourteenth and final series of the show's original run was filmed in Dunedin in August 1989 and screened towards the end of the same year on TV One. Episodes were 25 minutes in length, five minutes shorter than in previous series. The series was presented by Peter Sinclair with John Jones as booth announcer, and was produced and directed by Brian Stewart. The University of Waikato won the series, defeating the University of Auckland in the finals. Each member of the winning team won a Macintosh Classic. One still remains in the Waikato Students' Union Office as a trophy of their victory.

Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Heats
1 3 September 1989 Otago 235 40 Lincoln
2 10 September 1989 Victoria 210 5 Massey
3 17 September 1989 Waikato 205 70 Canterbury
4 24 September 1989 Auckland 50 250 Otago
5 1 October 1989 Massey 85 175 Waikato
6 8 October 1989 Canterbury 90 180 Auckland
7 15 October 1989 Lincoln 120 175 Victoria
Semi-finals
8 22 October 1989 Otago 125 180 Waikato
9 29 October 1989 Auckland 155 130 Victoria
Final
10 5 November 1989 Waikato 115 110 Auckland

International shows

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Two international series were held in 1986 and 1987 between the British and New Zealand champions of the previous year. The first of these was held in Dunedin, New Zealand (the venue for the filming of the New Zealand domestic series); the second was held in Manchester, England. Each of these was a best of three series. Both series resulted in a win to the British team.

There was also a one-off match between the Australian and New Zealand champions in 1989, filmed immediately after the completion of the Australian filming in Hobart, Tasmania, resulting in an Australian win.

Results

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Year Venue Foreign Team New Zealand Team Result
1986 Dunedin Jesus College, Oxford University of Auckland 2–1 to Great Britain
1987 Manchester Keble College, Oxford University of Otago 3–0 to Great Britain
1989 Hobart University of Tasmania University of Waikato Win to Australia

Revived series, 2014–2017

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Series 15

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The fifteenth series was filmed on 1–5 July 2014 and premiered on 22 November 2014 on Prime. It was in a new round-robin format, hosted by Cue TV director Tom Conroy and produced by Sheree Carey. Auckland University of Technology, newcomers to the show, lost all seven of their round-robin games. The final episodes aired on 4 April 2015, with the University of Canterbury winning the series after defeating the University of Auckland in the final.

Episode list

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Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Round 1
1 22 November 2014 Waikato 115 255 Otago
2 29 November 2014 Auckland 190 180 Lincoln
3 6 December 2014 Victoria 245 45 AUT
4 13 December 2014 Canterbury 205[a] 90 Massey
Round 2
5 20 December 2014 Victoria 230 205 Auckland
6 27 December 2014 Waikato 140 170 Massey
7 3 January 2015 Canterbury 235 185 Lincoln
8 10 January 2015 Otago 210 105 AUT
Round 3
9 10 January 2015 Canterbury 165 190 Victoria
10 17 January 2015 Otago 265 185 Auckland
11 Waikato 195 75 AUT
12 24 January 2015 Massey 130 150 Lincoln
Round 4
13 24 January 2015 Otago 90 220 Canterbury
14 31 January 2015 Massey 120 165 Victoria
15 AUT 60 270 Auckland
16 7 February 2015 Waikato 145 125 Lincoln
Round 5
17 7 February 2015 Massey 60 280[b] Otago
18 21 February 2015 Auckland 250 100 Waikato
19 AUT 125 140 Canterbury
20 28 February 2015 Lincoln 180 265 Victoria
Round 6
21 28 February 2015 AUT 105 170 Massey
22 7 March 2015 Lincoln 200 225 Otago
23 Victoria 260 140 Waikato
24 14 March 2015 Auckland 235 175 Canterbury
Round 7
25 14 March 2015 Lincoln 140 115 AUT
26 21 March 2015 Waikato 80 300 Canterbury
27 Auckland 240 160 Massey
28 28 March 2015 Victoria 145 185 Otago
Semi-finals
29 28 March 2015 Auckland 300 120 Otago
30 4 April 2015 Canterbury 220 190 Victoria
Final
31 4 April 2015 Canterbury 210 155 Auckland

Round-robin

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The following table should be read vertically. A green cell indicates a win, and a red cell indicates a loss. The number in each cell shows the points differential (the difference between the two teams' points). Two points were awarded for each win. The four teams with the most points at the end of the tournament went through to the semi-finals. Total points differential (shown in the bottom row) was used as a secondary ranking criterion in case multiple teams had the same number of points.

vs. Auckland AUT Canterbury Lincoln Massey Otago Victoria Waikato
Auckland -210 -60 -10 -80 80 25 -150
AUT 210 15 25 65 105 200 120
Canterbury 60 -15 -50 -115 -130 25 -220
Lincoln 10 -25 50 -20 25 85 20
Massey 80 -65 115 20 220 45 -30
Otago -80 -105 130 -25 -220 -40 -140
Victoria -25 -200 -25 -85 -45 40 -120
Waikato 150 -120 220 -20 30 140 120
Points 10 0 10 4 4 12 12 4
Points differential 405 -740 445 -145 -385 480 460 -520

Series 16

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The sixteenth series was filmed in late August 2015 and premiered on 17 October 2015 on Prime. It was again hosted by Tom Conroy, and featured all eight of New Zealand's universities, which were split into two pools. Pool A consisted of Waikato and the three South Island teams (Canterbury, Lincoln, and Otago) and Pool B consisted of the remaining North Island teams (Auckland, AUT, Massey, and Victoria). The University of Auckland won the series, defeating the University of Canterbury in the final.

The first three rounds of the competition involved a round-robin within each of the pools. Round four consisted of cross-over games, where the first place team from Pool A played the fourth placed team from Pool B, the second from Pool A played the third from Pool B, and so on. At the end of round 4, the four teams with the most points went through to the semi-finals (with points differential as a secondary ranking criterion).

Episode list

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Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Round 1
1 17 October 2015 Canterbury 230 140 Waikato
2 24 October 2015 Victoria 430 15 Massey
3 31 October 2015 Otago 295 95 Lincoln
4 7 November 2015 Auckland 360 20 AUT
Round 2
5 14 November 2015 Otago 270 155 Waikato
6 21 November 2015 Lincoln 230 150 Canterbury
7 28 November 2015 AUT 65 125 Massey
8 5 December 2015 Victoria 295 220 Auckland
Round 3
9 12 December 2015 Waikato 285 125 Lincoln
10 19 December 2015 AUT 30 365 Victoria
11 26 December 2015 Canterbury 215 225 Otago
12 2 January 2016 Massey 55 345 Auckland
Round 4
13 9 January 2016 Otago 365 40 AUT
14 16 January 2016 Victoria 185 205 Lincoln
15 23 January 2016 Canterbury 295 45 Massey
16 6 February 2016 Auckland 370 100 Waikato
Semifinals
17 13 February 2016 Otago 170 215 Canterbury
18 20 February 2016 Auckland 435 70 Victoria
Final
19 27 February 2016 Auckland 345 95 Canterbury

Pool rounds

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The following tables should be read vertically. A green cell indicates a win, and a red cell indicates a loss. The number in each cell shows the points differential (the difference between the two teams' points). For the inter-pool round, the opponent is written next to the differential score. Two points are awarded for each win. The two teams in each pool with the most points at the end of the tournament go through to the semi-finals. Total points differential (shown in the bottom row) is used as a secondary ranking criterion in case multiple teams have the same number of points.

Pool A
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vs. Canterbury Lincoln Otago Waikato
Canterbury 80 10 -90
Lincoln -80 200 160
Otago -10 -200 -115
Waikato 90 -160 115
INTER-POOL 250 (Mas.) 20 (Vic.) 325 (AUT) -270 (Auc.)
Points 4 4 8 2
Points differential 250 -260 650 -315
Pool B
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vs. Auckland AUT Massey Victoria
Auckland -340 -290 75
AUT 340 60 335
Massey 290 -60 415
Victoria -75 -335 -415
INTER-POOL 270 (Wai.) -325 (Ota.) -250 (Can.) -20 (Lin.)
Points 6 0 2 6
Points differential 825 -1060 -895 805

Series 17

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The seventeenth series premiered on 15 October 2016 on Prime. It was again hosted by Tom Conroy, and featured all eight of New Zealand's universities, which were split into two pools. Pool A consisted of AUT and the three South Island teams (Canterbury, Lincoln, and Otago) and Pool B consisted of the remaining North Island teams (Auckland, Massey, Victoria, and Waikato). The University of Canterbury won the series, defeating the University of Waikato in the final.

The first three rounds of the competition involved a round-robin within each of the pools. At the end of round 3, the four teams with the most points went through to the semi-finals (with points differential as a secondary ranking criterion).

Episode list

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Episode Broadcast date Team 1 Score Team 2
Round 1
1 15 October 2016 Victoria 120 260 Auckland
2 22 October 2016 Lincoln 155 150 Otago
3 29 October 2016 Massey 145 245 Waikato
4 12 November 2016 AUT 195 205 Canterbury
Round 2
5 19 November 2016 Auckland 230 125 Massey
6 26 November 2016 Canterbury 220 70 Lincoln
7 3 December 2016 Waikato 205 195 Victoria
8 10 December 2016 Otago 155 120 AUT
Round 3
9 17 December 2016 Auckland 250 235 Waikato
10 24 December 2016 Lincoln 135 215 AUT
11 31 December 2016 Massey 120 280 Victoria
12 7 January 2017 Otago 125 290 Canterbury
Semifinals
13 14 January 2017 AUT 130 245 Canterbury
14 21 January 2017 Waikato 215 205 Auckland
Final
15 21 January 2017 Waikato 90 210 Canterbury

Pool rounds

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The following tables should be read vertically. A green cell indicates a win, and a red cell indicates a loss. The number in each cell shows the points differential (the difference between the two teams' points). Two points are awarded for each win. The two teams in each pool with the most points at the end of the tournament go through to the semi-finals. Total points differential (shown in the bottom row) is used as a secondary ranking criterion in case multiple teams have the same number of points.

Pool A
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vs. AUT Canterbury Lincoln Otago
AUT 10 -80 35
Canterbury -10 -150 -165
Lincoln 80 150 -5
Otago -35 165 5
Points 2 6 2 2
Points differential 35 325 -225 -136
Pool B
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vs. Auckland Massey Victoria Waikato
Auckland -105 -140 -15
Massey 105 160 100
Victoria 140 -160 10
Waikato 15 -100 -10
Points 6 0 2 4
Points differential 260 -365 10 95

References

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  1. ^ "University Challenge". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e Conroy, Tom (9 November 2014). "Mediawatch for 9 November 2014". Mediawatch (Interview). Interviewed by Colin Peacock. Wellington: Radio New Zealand National. Event occurs at 21:00. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  3. ^ "University Challenge returns to NZ". The Southland Times. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  4. ^ "DO YOU REMEMBER UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE? WELL, IT'S BACK! TOM CONROY TELLS US MORE!". 6 December 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  5. ^ "Television Guide", Otago Daily Times, 23 August 1976. p. 17

Notes

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  1. ^ The table at the start of episode 5 confirms a score adjustment applied after the show (a bonus on the deepest lake in New Zealand was wrongly given as incorrect).
  2. ^ The table at the start of episode 21 confirms a score adjustment applied after the show (scoreboard error, missing a correct bonus question on the name "Thatcher").
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