Twenty-five youth bands from West and Central Auckland went head-to-head at the weekend in the hope of getting one step nearer the national final of the Smokefreerockquest.
At the Dorothy Winstone Centre at Auckland Girls Grammar School on Friday, The Moots were named this year's Auckland Central regional winners.
It was the second time the band had entered the annual competition.
Bass player Guy Beca said the win came after some major alterations to the band's profile and genre.
"Since last year, our style has matured a lot," he said.
"It took us a while to settle on something but now we've found the sound we think works and have really gone withit."
Second place went to Vivid from Diocesan School for Girls.
On Saturday night, it was West Auckland's turn, with a crowd of more than 300 turning up to Zeal to see five-piece fusion-jazz group Winnie And The Fros from Kaipara College take first place.
The band's frontwoman, Jess Bailey, said she believed the many hours of practice leading up to the final helped to secure the win.
Second place that night went to Arrested For Slapping, also from Kaipara College.
These four acts won musical gear from associate sponsors NZ Rockshops and the opportunity to gain selection for the national final in Auckland on Saturday, September 28.