Whanganui High School Performing Arts

River City Press Whanganui

Smokefreerockquest showcases local talent

The Royal Whanganui Opera House came alive on Saturday 16 May as the region's most promising young musicians took to the stage for the 2026.

Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats Whanganui Regional Final.

The event determined the Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats regional winners across both the Band and Solo/Duo categories, with all successful acts now advancing to the video submission stage – the next step toward securing a place in the 2026 Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats National Finals.

Ngahauewha from Whanganui High School delivered a standout performance and took out the honour of first place in the Band category of both Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats, crowning them Whanganui’s regional winners for both competitions.

Segundo Arne Leiva Benegas (Brass, Ukelele of Ngahauewha) shares;

“We’ve done this competition a few times now and I think that’s what makes us tight. This year is the first time we have switched instruments which got the crowd cheering for us. Overall, I’m really proud of our performance tonight.”

In each region, the top two acts from each category advance to video submissions for national finalist selection.

Whanganui full 2026 regional award list:

Smokefreerockquest Regional Winners – Solo/Duo

1st place: Sophie Toyne – Whanganui High School wins $250 Musical equipment from the Rockshop

2nd place: Bonnie-Daisy – Whanganui Girls' School wins $100 Musical equipment from the Rockshop

Smokefreerockquest Regional Winners – Band

1st place: Ngahauewha – Whanganui High School wins $600 Musical equipment from the Rockshop

2nd place: Dead Tie Society – Rangitīkei College wins $400 Musical equipment from the Rockshop

3rd place: CORTINA – Whanganui High School wins $250 Musical equipment from the Rockshop

Smokefree Tangata Beats Regional Winners – Solo/Duo

1st place: Tuwharetorian – Rangitīkei College wins $100 Musical equipment from the Rockshop

2nd place: McCaw – Rangitīkei College

Smokefree Tangata Beats Regional Winners – Band

1st place: Ngahauewha – Whanganui High School wins $200 Musical equipment from the Rockshop

Special Awards

● Musicianship Awards: Bassist from Reverie – Rangitīkei College & the horn section from Ngahauewha – Whanganui High School

● Smokefree Best Vocals Award: Sophie Toyne – Whanganui High School

● Wright Family Foundation Best Song Award: Will and Kerby etc – Whanganui High School

● APRA Lyric Award: Elizabeth Hodge – Ruapehu College

● Rockshop Electronic Assist Performance Award: Tuwharetorian – Rangitīkei College

Rockquest winners WHS.

Photo by Patrick Loughran

23/5/26