04 March. 75,000 mathletes across New Zealand - equivalent to the population of Hastings - are taking on students around the world in quick-fire 60 second contests. New Zealand is the seventh biggest team in the event, just behind Ireland and Singapore.

The Prime Minister, the Hon John Key, officially launched World Maths Day at Thorndon Primary School in Wellington this morning. He was joined by the Minister of Education, the Hon Anne Tolley.

World Maths Day is the biggest online education event in the world and is now in its third year www.worldmathsday.com