This year's judges also named some acts as highly commended, including Talia Dalton, from Otumoetai College.
Contenders have played off in heats and finals held in 23 regions, vying for the chance to take the big prizes at the national final in Auckland on September 11.
Judges were made up of Rockshop Promotions Manager Hamish Jackson, Jane de Dong (aka performer Ruby Frost), Chris Mack from Six60 and Edge TV Station Manager Damien Daniels.
Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners' prize packages for bands and the solo/duo winners that include; $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, a $20,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package, a 'Decent Exposure' campaign on FOUR, a photo shoot with Thievery Studio, a branding package from Imaginary Friends and the Unleashed Travel ambassador award - a seven day trip to Fiji.
There is also the MAINZ (Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand) Scholarship for Outstanding Musicianship, the APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) Lyric Award, the Lowdown Best Song Award and the Smokefree Women's Musicianship Award.
Spokesman Damien Daniels said it was quite intimidating to see such a high level of talent from such young people, and heart-breaking not to let all of them through to the final.
"The real standout was the high level of musicianship from people of this age," Mr Daniels said.
"That, and the diversity that there is now in New Zealand music. We may be small but we're quite eclectic - the finalists range from metal band Alien Weaponry, the Brit-pop sound of Joe Says No, there's the psychedalic rock band Joe's Van and then Reciprocate with a soul upbeat funk sound."
The national final will be held at the Raye Freedman Centre at Epsom Girls Grammar on Friday September 11 at 7pm.
Tickets will be offered first to the fans and families of the finalists and will then be available from iticket.co.nz