The 2026 New Zealand IPMS National Competition & Model Expo
Updated: 19 April, 2026
The International Plastic Modellers Society (IPMS) Christchurch is proud to be hosting the 2026 New Zealand IPMS National Competition & Model Expo at the Hornby Working Mens Club over the weekend of the 30th October & 1st of November.
The New Zealand IPMS National Competition is the premier event on the IPMS calendar and is held annually to display scale models of all types and scales and allows members to compete for the coveted Best in Show award.
It includes Best in Class awards and awards for differing levels of excellence. This years theme will be the Evolution of Naval Aviation.
There will be vendors tables present selling all manner of models from tanks and cars, aircraft and ships and other modelling materials.
Check the Facebook page – 2026 New Zealand IPMS National Competition & Model Expo.
Competition Classes
The following are the competition classes for any I.P.M.S New Zealand Nationals 2026 Christchurch.
Class A: Aircraft
A1 Military Aircraft Smaller than 1/48 – Prop
A2 Military Aircraft Smaller than 1/48 – Jet
A3 Military Aircraft 1/48 – Prop
A4 Military Aircraft 1/48 – Jet
A5 Military Aircraft 1/32-1/24 – Prop
A6 Military Aircraft 1/32-1/24 – Jet
A7 Helicopters – All Scales
A8 Civilian Aircraft – All Scales
Class B: Military Vehicles
B1 Smaller than 1/48.
B2 1/48 Vehicles
B3 1/35 Vehicles – WW2 and Earlier.
B4 1/35 Vehicles – Post WW2.
B5 1/16 Scale Vehicles.
Class C: Civilian Vehicles
C1 Vehicles – Open Wheel Competition
C2 Vehicles – Factory/custom/hotrod/tuner
C3 Vehicles – Closed Wheel Competition
C4 Motorcycles
C5 Trucks/Commercials
Class D: Dioramas
D1 Diorama – All types
Class E: Ships
E1 1/500 and Smaller
E2 Larger than 1/500
E3 Submarines
E4 1/48 and Larger
Class F: Figures
F1 Under 70mm (1/25)
F2 70mm (1/25) and Larger
F3 Busts
F4 Vignette’s
Class G – Science, Sci-Fi & Miscellaneous
G1 Fictional/Fantasy Figures
G2 Fictional Craft, Missiles and Vehicles
G3 Real Spacecraft
G4 Collections
G5 Any Subject not covered elsewhere.
Class J – Junior
J1 Aircraft
J2 Military
J3 Civilian Vehicles
J4 Figures
J5 Ships
J6 Sci-fi and Miscellaneous
J7 Diorama & Vignette
Class N – Non IPMS (Public Entry)
N1 All Entries
Class S – Special Awards
S1 Geoff Prentice Memorial Award for Best Vac-Form Aircraft
S2 Best New Zealand Subject (All Classes)
S3 Public Choice Award
S4 Best Theme Award – Evolution of Naval Aviation