A new Northland-based secondary schools performing arts competition hopes it can snare some government backing.
Whangarei teens Jayden Rudolph and Teale Vint have started a competition for Auckland and Northland schools called AIM (Art in Motion) to fill the gap left after Stage Challenge was axed due to economic conditions.
Last month it was announced popular school performing arts competitions Stage Challenge and J Rock were being axed because of an increase in costs - without a corresponding increase in revenue from sponsorships, grants, participation fees and ticket sales.
Minister of Education Chris Hipkins said music, drama and dance are an important part of the curriculum and for many young people are a way of expressing their creativity and building confidence. So the Government wants to fund replacement competitions.
"Like many people I thought regional and national activities of this sort were too important to lose," he said.