Equilibrium take out the top prize at the 2025 Smokefreerockquest National Finals

It’s been Smokefreerockquest’s biggest year yet, with over one thousand musical acts from schools across Aotearoa competing to win the prestigious title of National Winners. On Friday the Top 8 National Finalists in the band category performed at the ASB Waterfront Theatre Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau – with Equilibrium from Burnside High School crowned this year’s winning band; joining Sahara from Cambridge High School the winning Solo-duo who was announced in first place at the Solo-duo national final event on Thursday.

When speaking to the Saxophone/Keyboardist from Equilibrium, Alex Gibson, he said he feels “amazing” about their win.

“Its a ridiculous feeling. This is such an amazing event with so many opportunities available to young musicians. To win this is just mind boggling. Smokefreerokquest is a great excuse to rehearse and practice music that we love. It provides a ground for us to play together so frequently, and without Rockquest I don’t know if we would still be playing together as a band.”

In winning 1st place in the band category, Equilibrium, who is made up of students Alex Gibson (Saxophone/Keys), Corban Blackwell (Guitar), Wonie Park (Bass), and Finley Tressler (Drums), have won a massive $10k in musical equipment from Rockshop, as well as an $8k ‘New Music Single’ grant from NZ On Air to record a single, film a music video and promote the release.

Alex Gibson also took home the Musicianship Award.

The judging panel featured Hamish Jackson (NZ Rockshop), Jeff Newton (NZ On Air), Dr Jesse Austin-Stewart (Massey University), and musicians Jennie Skulander (Devilskin) and Nat Hutton (There’s A Tuesday).

Judge Jeff Newton said he was impressed by the winning band’s level of musicianship: “They were so fun. Good luck trying to find the best musician out of them. They were all insane. Hands down they were the best band.”

1st place in the solo-duo category was Sahara from Cambridge High School, winning $3k in musical equipment from Rockshop, as well as an $8k ‘New Music Single’ grant from NZ On Air to record a single, film a music video and promote the release.

When asked about her win, Sahara said she was “so grateful and so stoked.”

“There were so many talented people, and it was awesome to meet them all and have the opportunity to compete with them. It was pretty cool to have such a captivated audience. I want to thank my music teachers Lisa Norman and Daniel Peters, they have pushed me and I would not have even entered Smokefreerockquest if it wasn’t for them.”

Rumpus Machine from Long Bay College in the North Shore were named the second place winners in the band category, winning $5k in musical equipment from Rockshop.

A number of sought-after awards were presented at the finals, including the top three places, the Musicianship Award, the Smokefree Best Vocals Award, the ZM Best Song Award, the APRA Lyric Award, and the Rockshop Electronic Performance Award.

Now in its 37th year, Smokefreerockquest has become integral to the development of Aotearoa’s young musicians, with musical successes including international breakthrough artists such as Broods, Marlon Williams, Fazerdaze, Aldous Harding, Troy Kingi, Drax Project, Six60, Brooke Fraser, Kimbra, Bic Runga, and so many more. In 2025 the event attracted over 3300 young people, entered in more than 1000 acts, showing the enduring strength of youth music in New Zealand.

Smokefreerockquest is made possible by the support of Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga – The Ministry of Education, The Wright Family Foundation, NZ Rockshop, Ministry of Youth Development, Creative NZ, Four Winds Foundation, Lion Foundation, and Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora.

National Director of the National Public Health Service, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Nick Chamberlain said that events like Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats help young people to realise their potential.

“Health New Zealand has proudly partnered with Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats for 35 years. This is vital for our young people and communities. Being smokefree and vapefree is about more than just health – it’s about honouring your art, your wairua, and your potential expressed through music.”

“We love seeing rangatahi from across New Zealand come together to celebrate creativity, wellbeing, and celebrating every breath with mana. Congratulations to all the winners,” says Nick Chamberlain.

Interim National Director Hauora Māori Services, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora , Selah Hart, said that for over three decades, Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats have provided a powerful platform for rangatahi to express themselves through music while embracing a smokefree and vapefree lifestyle.

“These events are not only about performance — they are about identity, resilience, and the collective wellbeing of our communities.

We are proud to support kaupapa that uplift Māori voices and empower our young people to lead with mana and purpose, kia kaha rangatahi mā,” says Selah Hart.

It’s clear that for these acts, this year’s National Final is just the beginning. Stay tuned for what’s to come!

Awards:
1st place band: Equilibrium – Burnside High School
2nd place band: Rumpus Machine – Long Bay College
3rd place band: Seek Help! – Queen’s High School
Musicianship Award: Alex Gibson (keyboard and saxophone) of Equilibrium – Burnside High School (Canterbury)
Smokefree Best Vocals Award: Rumpus Machine – Long Bay College (North Shore)
ZM Best Song Award: Courtney’s Place – Scots College, Wellington College (Wellington)
Rockshop Electronic Performance Award: Levol Y – Manurewa High School (Manukau)
1st place solo/duo: Sahara – Cambridge High School (Waikato)
2nd place solo/duo: Aisha and Bebe – Otumoetai College (Bay of Plenty)
3rd place solo/duo: Levol Y – Manurewa High School (Manukau)
Musicianship Award: Tahi O’Neill – Gisborne Boys’ High School (Tairāwhiti)
Smokefree Best Vocals Award: Greer Castle – Wellington Girls’ College (Wellington)
ZM Best Song Award: Aisha and Bebe – Otumoetai College (Bay of Plenty)
APRA Lyric Award: Neave Meikle from Waitaki Girls High School (Timaru)