Talented students from Havelock North High School have taken top spot at the Showquest national final, becoming the first overall winner of New Zealand's new music, dance and drama showcase for schools.
The winning team of students chose to theme their piece Come Join The Circus, using the metaphor of circus to "challenge society's relationship with cellphones".
Second place went to Waimea College in Nelson for their piece Distorted Images, themed around body image.
Event judge Jackie Clarke said she found the school performances thoroughly engaging.
"There is no better feeling, and there is no more healing and positive energy you can bring to the world then actually putting on a show, communicating ideas, feelings, emotions, and aspirations, and sharing that with your community," Clarke said.