Gisborne Girls' High band Eunoia are among the 12 finalists for the Tairāwhiti regional final of Smokefreerockquest. Pictured are band members Sharfaye Dela Torre (left), Lou Mangco, Chloe Olangca and Princess Estrada. Photo / Tamsin Wilson
Gisborne Girls' High band Eunoia are among the 12 finalists for the Tairāwhiti regional final of Smokefreerockquest. Pictured are band members Sharfaye Dela Torre (left), Lou Mangco, Chloe Olangca and Princess Estrada. Photo / Tamsin Wilson
Gisborne musical talent was on display on Friday when emerging artists lit up the stage at the Tairāwhiti regional heat of the 2026 Smokefreerockquest and Tangata Beats.
From first-time performers to annual participants, the War Memorial Theatre-held event showcased the depth of young musical talent, with the top performers advancingto the next stage of the nationwide competition.
Tolaga Bay Area School (TBAS) head of department Delia Harrison said the school was an avid supporter of Smokefreerockquest (SFRQ) because it gave their kids real-life experience on the stage.
“The competition has been around forever … almost every New Zealand artist has come through SFRQ or SFTB (Smokefree Tangata Beats), and because of that, I think it helps open music pathways for my students."
The top two in the solo/duo section of the Tairāwhiti heat were Summa Feterika (first) and Rosie Jean (second) from Campion College.
They received gear vouchers from the Rockshop and progressed to the video submission stage, where they get the chance to make the national finals.
SFTB – which celebrates original contemporary music grounded in tangata whenua and Pasifika identity – followed the same format.
TBAS act Teah & Izzy (Te Aomihia Walker-Reedy and Isabel Parsons) won the solo/duo section. TBAS’s Copium won the band category and Wairoa College’s THEIV were second.
“I think it’s important to add my culture (Māori) into our song because for me Māori revolves around music,” Copium member Krystal said. “Things like kapa haka and taonga pūoro (traditional Māori musical instruments) are what make us unique.”
Puhiraumoa, also from Copium, said it was her fourth and final year in the competition and it was going to “feel very special for me to share the stage with my band for the last time”.
Copium were also one of 12 bands selected for the SMRQ regional final back at War Memorial Theatre on Friday, June 12.
White Collar Missy, of Gisborne Girls' High School, perform at the Tairāwhiti heat of Smokefreerockquest. The band are Carly Botrill (keyboard), Estella Hepburn Van Zyl (guitar, vocals), Rosanna Hepburn Van Zyl (drums), Ella Destounis (bass), Koston Stevens (guitar) and Layla Mersham (vocals). Photo / Tamsin Wilson
The final will feature a range of special awards, including musicianship, vocals, song and lyrics.
The top two bands will also move on to the next stage – a video submission for national finalist consideration.
