Climaxing another year of record entry numbers the 2025 Smokefreerockquest national final took place at the ASB Waterfront Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau on September 12, with Burnside High School four-piece Equilibrium named this year’s Rockquest winning band.

Entry numbers set a record at close to 900 last year, but 2025 eclipsed that to be Smokefreerockquest’s biggest year yet, with more than 3,300 young musicians over 1,000 musical bands and solo/duo acts from schools across Aotearoa performing in regional heats and finals.

The top eight national finalists in the band section covered the rock spectrum from punk to metal, with the instrumental performance and sharp dressing from Ōtautahi’s Equilibrium – Alex Gibson (keys/saxophone), Corban Blackwell (guitar), Wonie Park (bass), and Finley Tressler on drums – winning the judges’ vote. Gibson was also earned the Musicianship Award.

Second place went to Rumpus Machine from Long Bay College on Auckland’s North Shore, also winners of the best vocals award, while punk rock act Seek Help! from Queen’s High School in Dunedin claimed third place.

The solo-duo category national final, which was staged separately this year, was won by Cambridge High School singer-songwriter Sahara (pictured). Second place went to the duo of Asha and Bebe from Otumoetai College, and third were Levoly from Manurewa High School. 

Among the night’s other awards the Chloe Wright Scholarship for three years of tertiary eduction was awarded to Kosta Silich from Kerikeri High School.  

The 2025 Smokefree Tangata Beats national final, staged the following night, saw Rotorua Boys High School band Kotahi Te Ra take first prize. Second place went to Manawhenua with students from Flaxmere College and Tamatea High School in Hawkes Bay, and the third placed band was Crown from Alfriston College in Tāmaki Makaurau.

The first place winner in the solo-duo section was Levol Y from Manurewa College in Tāmaki Makaurau.