The present invention provides a polyphase inductive power transfer (IPT) system comprising a primary power supply comprising a plurality of primary conductors, the primary conductors being individually selectively operable to provide or receive a magnetic field for inductive power transfer; and at least one pick-up comprising one or more pick-up conductors, the one or more pick-up conductors each being individually selectively operable to magnetically couple with a primary conductor to control power transfer between the primary power supply and a load coupled or coupleable with the respective pick-up. The polyphase primary power supply may be used to power a plurality of single-phase pick-ups, one or more polyphase pick-ups, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are polyphase primary and secondary converters for use in such a system.