Music

Smokefree Rockquest reveals 2026 national finalists ahead of September showdown

Deaf Racoon, John McGlashan College, Logan Park High School (Otago).

After months of regional events, Aotearoa’s next generation of musicians finally discovered who will head to Wellington for the 2026 Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats National Finals.

For nearly four decades, Smokefreerockquest has been a hugely influential launchpad for young musicians. Founded in 1988 by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey, it’s Aotearoa’s largest live, original music event for youth, offering thousands of rangatahi the opportunity to share their songs on a professional stage every year. Thirty-eight years later, it sits alongside six other programmes run by Rockquest Promotions, fostering creativity, self-expression and belonging.

The 2026 National Finalists join an impressive legacy of alumni, including music legends Aldous Harding, Bic Runga, Balu Brigada, The Black Seeds, Six60, Marlon Williams and many more.

These young acts reflect the diversity of Aotearoa’s emerging music community, representing a wide range of genres, gender identities, schools, backgrounds and regions. Rather than chasing a single sound, the finalists spotlight a younger generation increasingly confident in expressing originality and developing their own musical identity.

Lux, Wellington High School and Com Ed Centre, Tawa College (Wellington).

In the Rockquest band category, the Otago and Bay of Plenty regions dominate. The twangy guitars and wavy synths of Deaf Raccoon and Talking Furniture continue the legacy of Dunedin’s iconic alternative sound, while Ōtūmoetai College’s Grizzlyfish brings an early-2000’s sparkly pop flavour to the mix. Representing the Northland region is Fork, an all-femme powerful rock trio that continues the region's reputation for producing impressive heavy acts, such as 2016 Rockquest winners Alien Weaponry.

The Rockquest solo/duo category exhibits some fresh talent and a few already familiar faces despite their young age. Alex, one half of Mind The Gap, is the keyboard player and saxophonist of Canterbury’s EQUILIBRIUM, the 2025 1st place band winners who released their debut last month. Ioteva from Manurewa High School is making his fifth National Finals appearance – a Smokefreerockquest record. He has previously won both Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats as a band member, won Smokefree Tangata Beats as a Solo/Duo artist, and placed third in the Smokefreerockquest Solo/Duo category. What a huge achievement for a Year 12 student.

The Smokefree Tangata Beats National Finalists also showcase a mix of styles. Papatoetoe’s RIBBIT are alternative rock, while Whanganui artist Tuwharetorian delivers a solo performance built around live guitar, backing tracks and strong te reo Māori vocals.

Each of these young acts receive the opportunity to professionally record a song, thanks to the Ministry of Education. Spanning three September days in Wellington, the National Finals will bring these acts together for a live performance, competing for a prize pool valued at over $60,000 from the Rockshop and NZ On Air.

Sidetracked, Rutherford College, Hobsonville Point Secondary School (Auckland Central).

While trophies, titles and prizes are part of the story, the National Finals are just one chapter in a much bigger journey. From regionals to nationals, the programme is less about winning than it is about finding collaborators, building confidence and discovering that original music and live performance has a huge, vital place in Aotearoa. Every single act that participants in Rockquest and Tangata Beats joins an encouraging and supportive community that has shaped generations of Aotearoa artists.

Smokefreerockquest National Finalists – Bands:

Deaf Racoon – John McGlashan College, Logan Park High School (Otago)
Fork – Bream Bay College (Northland)
Go Getter – Bethlehem College (Bay of Plenty)
Grizzlyfish – Ōtūmoetai College (Bay of Plenty)
Lux – Wellington High School and Com Ed Centre, Tawa College (Wellington)
Sidetracked – Rutherford College, Hobsonville Point Secondary School (Auckland Central)
Talking Furniture – Bayfield High School (Otago)
Trolley – Havelock North High School (Hawkes Bay)

Highly Commended:

Crying Ivy – Western Springs College-Ngā Puna o Waiōrea, Saint Kentigern College (Auckland Central)
Parade – Hamilton Christian School (Waikato)
Littles Road – Wakatipu High School (Central Otago)