Hon Chris Hipkins
Minister of Education


1 May 2019 MEDIA STATEMENT

The World of WearableArt (WOW), one of New Zealand’s most iconic creative companies, is set to discover some of the best young creative design talent from Showquest for the first time this year, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said.

Showquest, a series of special performing arts events for Years 1 to 13 students, replaced Stage Challenge last year, after the organiser of Stage Challenge and J Rock said they could no longer continue.

“Showquest has been a big success,” Chris Hipkins said.

“I have been so impressed by the feedback from the performers who really threw themselves into the occasion.

“Last year’s shows attracted big crowds, but this year’s event could be even bigger and better, with a new wearable art design category being added to the competition.

“Performing arts is an important part of the curriculum and through Showquest, young people can get hands-on experience. It also gives students the opportunity to grow their confidence and leadership skills.

“Sixty schools and about 2000 students took part in 2018 – a great achievement given preparations started slightly later in the year.

“This year, 160 schools around the country have already signed up to it, of those 76 schools have entered the wearable art design challenge,” Chris Hipkins said.

Shows start on May 7 at Forum North in Whangarei and end in Tauranga at the end of June.

Showquest dates for 2019

Date Region Venue
Tuesday 7 May Whangarei Forum North
Friday 10 May Nelson Trafalgar Centre
Tuesday 14 May Invercargill Civic Theatre
Monday 20 May
Tuesday 21 May Christchurch Christchurch Town Hall
Monday 27 May Napier Pettigrew Arena
Wednesday 5 June
Thursday 6 June Auckland Spark Arena
Monday 17 June Wellington Opera House
Friday 21 June Palmerston North Regent on Broadway
Tuesday 25 June Hamilton Claudelands Arena
Thursday 27 June Tauranga Baycourt Theatre

More information can be found here: http://Showquest.nz/about/

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