The practically perfect quiz scores of some young Central Otago masterminds has proved the region's pupils are clued up on the news.
The years 5 and 6 and years 7 and 8 sections of the Otago Daily Times Extra! current events quiz were held at Cromwell College last night.
In teams of three, hundreds of pupils from the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes regions had their general knowledge tested in categories such as world flags, photo recognition, current events and newspaper research.
Pupils from Alexandra's Goldfields Primary Olivia Piebenga, Trent Ainsley and Flynn Wilson lost only one point to clinch 1st place in the years 5 and 6 section with a score of 99 out of 100.
Flynn said their win was assisted by encouragement from their coach.
''Mrs Simmers doesn't give up on us,'' Flynn said.
A team from Queenstown's Remarkables Primary School came second and another from Wanaka's Holy Family School placed third out of 39 teams from 10 schools.
Arrowtown Primary pupils Tobin Wilson, Ollie Mclean and Finley Husheer snatched top spot in the years 7 and 8 section with a score of 98 out of 100.
Tobin said it ''felt good'' to win.
For preparation, the team ''kept up to date and watched the news'', he said.
Quiz co-ordinator and Extra! editor Ivan Behrnes said it would be ''very difficult'' for other regions to beat the scores of the Central Otago children.
''It's an amazing effort. The standards are just getting better. It was even better than the Christchurch teams who tied for first place with 98 points.''
The years 8 and 9 section will be held at the school tonight.
