New Zealand's nationwide, live, original music, youth event giving young musicians the opportunity to perform live in a professional setting, in venues from Northland to Southland.
Smokefreerockquest 2024, powered by Rockshop, aims to motivate young musicians to strive for success, to realise the opportunities available in music careers, and to encourage their peers to support original New Zealand Music.
The founders Glenn Common and Pete Rainey were honoured with the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2013, and the Taite Music Independent Spirit award in 2021. They continue to lead the team that now runs this New Zealand institution.
Rock Quest Promotions Ltd has grown considerably since its beginning over 37 years ago.
The company is an Aotearoa owned and operated organisation that exists to serve creative youth and their communities. The team, spread over Nelson and Auckland, is committed to creating opportunities for rangatahi nationwide to participate in a high-quality arts experience and develop their skills.
Alongside Smokefreerockquest, the team at Rock Quest Promotions also runs Smokefree Tangata Beats, Rockshop Bandquest, Showquest, Toi, OnScreen, and Stills.
Smokefreerockquest is New Zealand’s only nationwide, live, original music, youth event. Now in its 34th year, the series of over 40 events reaches audience numbers in excess of 10,000 every year.
Founded in 1989 by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey, Smokefreerockquest has now become a New Zealand institution.
Smokefreerockquest aims to motivate young musicians to prove their ability and realise the heights they can reach in their music careers, and to encourage their peers to support original New Zealand music.
Creative Manager
Region
Heat Date
Final Date
HEATS:
Tickets are available at the door of the event, with a cash and an eftpos option.
$10 for students, $15 for adults. (Some venues may have a booking fee)
Free for under 5's and for teachers supporting their school acts.
FINALS:
Tickets are available at the door of the event, with a cash and an eftpos option.
Most regions will have tickets available ahead of the event available online, and we'll have links available closer to the time.
$15 for students, $25 for adults (booking fees included) Free for under 5's and for teachers supporting their school acts.
We’ve been talking to a bunch of amazing NZ artists about their musical journey and songwriting process. They have generously shared their knowledge, experience, tips and advice.
We are always adding to our collection of artist profiles - from the likes of No Comply, Tomorrow People, Kaylee Bell, There's A Tuesday & heaps more! These profiles are written by the artist especially for YOU - the Smokefreerockquest participants and next generation of musicans!
We are extremely grateful for our wonderful sponsors.
Without them, Smokefreerockquest would not be possible.
EHARA KOE I A IA!
We’d love to hear from you:
Instagram - @rockquest
Facebook - @rockquest
YouTube - @rockquest
Email us – help@smokefreerockquest.co.nz
Phone us – (03) 545 6574
Write to us –
Rock Quest Promotions Ltd
PO Box 568, Nelson
Media inquiries: georgia@rockquest.co.nz
Sponsorship inquiries: kelsey@rockquest.co.nz
1. All contestants must be enrolled in and attend a school for at least 15 hours a week. If you leave school during the course of the competition, you become ineligible to continue. You can change schools during the competition. (School means secondary, area, intermediate, primary or correspondence school.)
2. All contestants must be no older than 19 (nineteen) years of age on 3rd May 2024
(You may be asked to supply proof of eligibility).
3. Smokefreerockquest is for unsigned bands and individuals only. No contestant/s can sign a recording or Management contract prior to or during the competition without the prior written approval of Rockquest Promotions Ltd.
4. A student can only enter in a maximum of one Smokefreerockquest band AND/OR one Solo/duo.
Entries open mid Feb and close on 3rd May 2024. You need to have completed the online registration form by this date
Click here – Terms and Conditions
You CAN enter in a band and as a solo/duo – but just one of each (IE - You CANNOT enter in more than one band, or more than one Solo/duo act). If you’re planning on entering in both categories, you’ll need to enter in the ‘online’ solo-duo region.
You also can, and we hugely encourage you to, enter in Smokefree Tangata Beats and Smokefreerockquest.
You can add a band member, but you will need new forms to be signed off by your principal/HOD, and guardian. Changing band members can only be done before you compete in your regional heat. Email us at help@smokefreerockquest.co.nz for the new forms, and give us a call at (03) 545 6574 to let us know what’s happening. Please note that this can’t be done via the online entry process.
You need to let us know as soon as possible. There are various options available, depending on what stage of the competition it happens. You can always perform without them, but you can only replace them prior to your first performance in the competition. Changing schools is not a problem, but you will still need to contact us.
Contact us at help@smokefreerockquest.co.nz or (03) 545 6574.
Up until you have competed in your regional heat you can change your acts name by emailing us at help@smokefreerockquest.co.nz.
This can cause confusion and admin for our team though, so we REALLY encourage you to pick your name carefully in the first place and then stick with it throughout.
Contact us at help@smokefreerockquest.co.nz or (03) 545 657.
Nope! Lyrics are viewed as their own thing entirely and don’t HAVE to be performed in any of the Smokefreerockquest video entries. They don’t even have to be written by someone entered in an act performing, as long as they are at school!
It is really important to us that everyone who wants to enter Smokefreerockquest, and their support crew, is able to be apart of the programme.
If there is something we can do to make an event more accessible for you (such as ensuring wheelchair access, providing a sign language interpreter, or reserving seats closer to the front for low visually impaired attendees) - please send us an email to help@smokefreerockquest.co.nz or give us a call on (03) 545 6574
.
There is a notes section on the entry form where this information can also be submitted to our team.
If you're able to, please let us know at least 3 weeks before an event to ensure the needed arrangements can be made.