Rangaikura School Band Wins National Music Competition For Fourth Year Running

Thursday, 21 September 2023, 6:00 pm
Press Release: Rockshop Bandquest

New Zealand's Young Musicians Shine in the 13th Annual Rockshop Bandquest Competition: Media Release: Rockshop Bandquest 2023 National Final Results

It's clear that age is no barrier to musical talent, as proven by the fantastic musicians from Primary and Intermediate schools who have wowed audiences across the nation in the 13th annual Rockshop Bandquest competition.

Powered by Rockshop - the programme is run by RQP (Rockquest Promotions), who are also known for their successful music and performing arts youth events - Smokefreerockquest, Smokefree Tangata Beats, and Showquest. For the first time in 2023, Rockshop Bandquest was presented by The Wright Family Foundation.

The platform works as a space to host the next generation of contemporary musicians as they step on stage and perform. In its biggest year ever, the programme attracted entries from over 280 bands from around the country.

WHYPHY from Rangikura School have taken out the top spot. The 10 piece performed “Where Have You Been” by Rhianna, “Only Girl In The World” by Rhianna, and “Fall In Love” by Sammy Johnson. This is the fourth year in a row Rangikura School has taken out the top spot in Rockshop Bandquest. This year the school also placed second nationally in Showquest, New Zealand's biggest performing arts competition.

LINE UP; Taniane Lemafua (Vocals), Emaia-Lei Ah-Hoi Tiatia (Vocals), Jahvis Cheung (Vocals), Desire Waara (Vocals), Bella Ford (Percussion), Horona Obeda (Drums), James La Mai (Bass), Andrew Luapo (Keyboard), Kayden Hayman (Keyboard), Shayla Akavi (Guitar)

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

About the winning band, National Final judge Rikki Reid said: “The first thing I noticed was how tight every single member of the band was. Everyone was well on their way to being a master of their chosen instrument. Secondly, everything from the performance, to the stage layout/position, to the arrangement of the songs were thought about. It was a very engaging performance which also sounded so tight and beyond their years. A very bright future in music ahead if these musicians move along together.”

Hamish Jackson of The Rockshop, key sponsor for the program, highlights the positive and long-term impact of creative initiatives like Rockshop Bandquest, saying: “The benefits of joining a music community as a young musician are immeasurable. It's a safe space to learn, grow, and gain confidence in their musical abilities. Supporting youth in their musical journey not only creates a vibrant music community but also enriches the cultural landscape of New Zealand.”

About Rockshop Bandquest, past participant Nat Hutton (of Aotearoa Music Award, Rolling Stone NZ, and Silver Scroll nominated act ‘There’s A Tuesday’) said: “I can speak from personal experience when I say that Rockshop Bandquest, and further on Smokefreerockquest provided me with many future opportunities. It helped me meet new friends, musical contacts and strengthen my craft as a young writer and performer. It’s a great opportunity to perform to a crowd of like minded people in a way that was fun, supportive and inclusive.”

• 1st Place (winning $3000 Musical equipment from the Rockshop): WHYPHY from Rangikura School (Wellington)
• 2nd Place (winning $1000 Musical equipment from the Rockshop): Shades On from Holy Cross School Papatoetoe (Manukau)
• 3rd Place (winning $500 Musical equipment from the Rockshop): Carnival Cops from Berkley Normal Middle School (Waikato)
• Wright the Best Original Song Award (winning $200 for their school’s music department): Ampt Up from Napier Intermediate (Hawkes Bay)
• Best Keyboard player Award: Jackson from Hazy Days, Kamo Intermediate (Online Region)
• Rocking Drummer Award: Harvey Connor from Tempo, Waimea Intermediate (Nelson)
• Rock-Solid Bassist Award: Amelie Pilot-Rowsell from Pyramid Scheme, Te Atatu Intermediate (Auckland)
• “Killer” Guitarist Award: Alex from Synchronicity, Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate (Canterbury)
• Rockstar Styles Award: Shades On from Holy Cross School Papatoetoe (Manukau)
• Musicianship Award: Olivia Pinkney from Wildfire, Kapakapanui School (Manawatu)
• Best Vocalist Award: Taniane Lemafua, Emaia-Lei Ah-Hoi Tiatia, Jahvis Cheung and Desire Waara from WHYPHY, Rangikura School (Wellington)

This year over 280 bands from around the country have entered Rockshop Bandquest, presented by the Wright Family Foundation, performing in venues across three events in Christchurch, five events in Auckland, and one event in the regions of Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Tairawhiti, Manawatū, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Otago, Nelson.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Did you know Scoop has an Ethical Paywall?

If you're using Scoop for work, your organisation needs to pay a small license fee with Scoop Pro. We think that's fair, because your organisation is benefiting from using our news resources. In return, we'll also give your team access to pro news tools and keep Scoop free for personal use, because public access to news is important!

Go to Scoop Pro Find out more

Find more from Rockshop Bandquest on InfoPages.

Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

NEW ZEALAND POLITICS

Gordon Campbell: On unemployment, Winston Peters’ low boiling point and music criticism

The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp amongst young job seekers. The surge in migration has boosted the ranks of the jobless, and is depressing wage growth. As usual this government seems utterly clueless about what it has wrought.

Labour Party: National Gaslights Women Fighting For Equal Pay

National has scrapped the pay equity taskforce that fights for equal pay for women and looks at ethnic pay gaps. “Scrapping the taskforce that helps women get equal pay feels like we’re back to the 1800s fighting for the right to vote,” spokesperson for women Jan Tinetti said.

The Treasury: New Treasury Paper On The Productivity Slowdown

The world has been experiencing a productivity slowdown, from which New Zealand has not been exempt. COVID-19 temporarily boosted labour productivity, but more recently, productivity has retreated. The overall trend since 2007 has been one of slow productivity growth.

NZ Government: Government Recommits To Equal Pay

The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says.

Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter: Deputy Mayor ‘disgusted’ By Response To Georgina Beyer Sculpture

Beyer, who died last year, was elected mayor of Carterton in 1995, making her the world’s first openly transgender mayor. Williams said he was “disgusted” by the comments his council had received regarding a proposal to erect a life-sized bronze statue of Beyer.

Te Pāti Māori: Māori Unemployment Rate Increases By More Than Four-Times National Rates

In figures released yesterday from Statistics New Zealand, unemployment rates for Māori hit a four-year high of 8.2%, up by 1.4%. Similarly, rates for Pacific peoples have surged by 1.5% to reach 7.4%. “These figures are an absolute embarrassment for this government with increasing unemployment under their watch,” said Employment spokesperson, Takutai Tarsh Kemp.

Government: Streamlining Building Consent Changes

The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can rebuild the economy and get Kiwis into homes faster,” Mr Penk says.

Join Scoop Pro

Submit News

Become a Member