"We had the confidence. When we got there we didn't think it looked very competitive but it was more of a mean experience. I didn't care how we did, it was just the experience was good. It's changed all our lives and opened our eyes up to the music industry."
He said they would buy recording equipment with their prizemoney so they could have more control over recording their own music. They had also lined up a couple of gigs.
The all girl soul group Soulful 7 from Auckland Girls' Grammar won the competition. The band members are Zina Setefano (keyboard), Victoria Nanai (drums), Narelle Apa (guitar,vocals), Colleen Vatau (bass), Tuputala Auvele (saxophonist), Angie Fa'apoi and Seini Pua (vocals).
Spokesperson Angie Fa'apoi said the band was very grateful to their families, teachers, schools and to their mentor Annie Crummer.
"She gave us the confidence to reach out and connect with the audience," she said.
"We worked really hard and had no idea how we would do when we saw all the other bands. All our band members are blessed with amazing talent, this is what we do, we love to perform."
The SFPB national winners' prize package includes musical gear to a total value of $3,000 from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers and a $10,000 song and video package from NZ On Air.
Third place went to Jah Mon Fever from Aotea College in Porirua,
The six finalists were narrowed down from over 100 entries in Smokefree Pacifica Beats this year. The event recognises and reflects the unique cultural identity of Aotearoa New Zealand and the South Pacific, with bands required to have some Maori or Pacific Island elements in their music or performance.
