RockQuest at Parliament: Voices Unite in Song and Sound
The past Wednesday at Parliament was exceptionally tense.
The House was operating under urgency while discussing the potential rollback of pay equity legislation and reconsidering wildlife protection laws to facilitate infrastructure projects.
When the House took its dinner recess, everyone welcomed an energizing shift. Fortunately, just next door (in what used to be the upper chamber), there was a gathering celebrating the launch of a national performing arts competition for students, which originated from the Smokefree Rockquest program.
Top Shelf are from Manurewa High School. They beat nearly 900 bands to be crowned the 2024 winners of both Smokefree Rockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats, and were one of the acts performing in Parliament's Legislative Council Chamber.
Top Shelf, who are RockQuest veterans, once more.
You can't blend hip-hop with big-band music unless you have a brass section. Shaneya Bayaban and Louise Ponifasio handle the brass instruments, while bassist Ashton Emerson adds his voice and amplification.
In a different section of the Top Shelf lineup, Taparia 'Taps' Engu plays guitar passionately on his knees (naturally). Additionally, Taparia was awarded the first-ever Chloe Wright Scholarship, which provides a three-year scholarship for tertiary studies.
Rockquest doesn't consist only of senior high school students. There’s also a related competition for younger participants called Rockshop Bandquest.
The ensemble "Sweater Weather" from Rangikura School in Porirua claimed the second spot at the Rockshop Bandquest National Finals in 2024. This group wowed audiences with their blend of rock, hip-hop, and kapa-haka styles, featuring guitars prominently among their instruments.
Sweater Weather featured an entirely female lead lineup. The image captures the provisional performance stage positioned directly before the Legislative Council Chamber’s 'throneroom,' which was used for addressing Parliament.
Not a bad location.
Age doesn’t hinder agility. The lead singer of Sweater Weather is known for their swift moves.
Since this marked the debut of the 2025 edition of Smokefree Rockquest, Bandquest, Showquest, Toi, Tangata Beats, and Onscreen, speeches were expected.
Pete Rainey is among the co-founders of Rockquest and served as a teacher in 1989 when he and several others broadened the scope of the contest outside of Christchurch.
A fellow alumna, Emerson claimed the title of solo/duo champion in 2024. Additionally, her track titled 'Bored' received the accolade for ZM's Best Song at the national finals.
Every time an event of this kind takes place at Parliament — and many do — it is sponsored by an MP. There isn’t much better than having the host as your sponsor.
Speaker Gerry Brownlee was clearly very pleased with his visitors.
In 2002, Troy Kingi participated as a contestant in Rockquest. Kingi (of Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi, and Te Whānau-ā-Apanui descent) exemplifies numerous successful musicians who began their journeys with an attempt at winning a Smokefree Rockquest championship.
He has starred in many movies and received two Vodafone NZ Music Awards along with a Taite Music Prize. In 2020, he was granted the Mātairangi Mahi Toi Māori Artist Residency at Government House.
An additional alumna, Georgia Lines claimed victory in the Smokefree Rockquest back in 2014 and was honored as the Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the 2022 Aotearoa Music Awards.
National Party MP Paul Goldsmith is also a keyboard player, so he likely enjoyed returning to the 'me and my keyboard' setup.
The Minister of Arts, Culture, and Heritage demonstrated his commitment on the day by wearing aNZ Music Month pin.
Recently introduced among the competitions is one focused on wearable art. Additional contests include those for video production and stills photography.
Both were displayed in Parliament's Grand Hall, resulting in remarkable outcomes.
Wrapping up the night, with MPs returning nearby to discuss the safeguarding of wildlife, Wellington Girls' College student Greer Castle treated everyone to some mellow jazz and original R&B tunes.
'The House,' offering perspectives on parliament, laws, and current topics, is produced with financial support from Parliament’s Office of the Clerk.
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