Showquest takes to the stage in Rotorua

Raukura kapa haka at Showquest. Photo/Supplied

New Zealand's new music, dance and drama showcase for schools, Showquest, was staged at the Energy Events Centre yesterday, the fifth regional event nationwide.

The Raukura kapa haka team made up of Rotorua Boys' and Girls' High Schools opened the evening, presenting the piece that won them the Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition.

The other performances featured on the night were St Mary's Primary School in Putaruru, the Rotorua Lakes Performing Arts Company, St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Rotorua, and a guest performance from the Brylee Mills Creative Team.

The teams choreographed their pieces around themes that were important to them, such as resilience and the poaching of endangered animals.

Brylee Mills, who brought the Brylee Mills Creative Team from Auckland for a guest performance, said her team was very proud of their performance on the night.

"They are super passionate about dancing and performing, and they love any chance they get to do that.

"To come to the Energy Events Centre and be a part of Showquest was really amazing. Everyone was so welcoming and the team absolutely loved being on stage."

The S.T.A.R Award for overall spirit went to John Paul College, whose high school students had helped prepare the pieces for both St. Mary's Primary School in Putaruru and Rotorua.

Showquest is being staged in Northland, Dunedin, Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Rotorua, Hamilton, New Plymouth and Auckland. A national online final will name the top entry nationwide in September.

Rockquest Promotions, which has 30 years of success with the country's only live, nationwide school music contest, won the contract from the Ministry of Education earlier this year for a dance and music performance event for schools.