Young musicians from Whāingaroa made their mark at Rockshop Bandquest 2026, with three Te Mata School bands taking part and Not Shore winning the Waikato competition for the second year running.
Not Shore performed at Clarence St Theatre in Hamilton on Thursday, 13 August, successfully defending the title it won in 2025. The band received $300 of musical equipment for Te Mata School and earned a place in the Bandquest National Finals.
It was also a successful event for fellow Te Mata band Spirit Pigs, which received the Rockstar Styles Award. Spirit Pigs member Pippa Walker was recognised individually with the Outstanding Keyboardist Award.
Other young musicians from the Whāingaroa area featured among the individual award winners. Sophia Scantlebury from Te Uku School band Double Trouble received a Star Vocalist Award on the second day, while June Atkin from Raglan Area School band 6 Degrees received the same award during the first day of competition.
Not Shore and Spirit Pigs were among 12 bands to perform on the second day of the Waikato event. Seven original songs were performed during the day, showcasing the songwriting and creativity of the young musicians involved.
Te Awamutu Intermediate band Lowered Expectations placed second, followed by Electric Envy from Fairfield Intermediate School in third.
Held across Wednesday, 12 and Thursday, 13 August, the Waikato Bandquest brought together 22 primary and intermediate school acts from throughout the region.
The young performers took to the Clarence St Theatre stage in front of whānau, friends and music supporters after months of rehearsal and collaboration. Each act also received mentoring and support from judges Emerson and Jayden Keoghan.
Launched in 2011, Rockshop Bandquest is Rockquest Promotions’ primary and intermediate school pathway into Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats.
The programme gives young musicians an opportunity to perform covers or original songs on a professional stage. Through the experience, participants can build confidence while developing teamwork, communication, leadership and goal-setting skills.
More than 350 acts involving over 2,500 young people from 184 schools across Aotearoa have taken part in Bandquest this year.
Rockshop general manager of artist relations, sponsorship and events Hamish Jackson said the programme was one of the organisation’s annual highlights.
“Rockshop Bandquest is one of the highlights of the year for us! It’s so awesome seeing young people experience the joy of live performance, often for the very first time, and build lifelong creative skills. Creating these opportunities for the next generation of musicians across Aotearoa is hugely important to us at the Rockshop.”
The first day of the Waikato competition was won by The Blue Socks from Southwell School, with fellow Southwell band Spicy Strings placing second and Built on Rock from St Peter’s School in Cambridge placing third.
