Twins power and experience paid off for Made Alive from Whakatane and Trident High Schools when they took out the Bay of Pleny regional final of Smokefreerockquest for the second year running.

There are two sets of twins in the winning band - Bleyne Heberley (drums) and Jalen Heberley (guitar) along with Sophia Vandergulik (vocals) and Christian Vandergulik (bass), plus Kauri Jackson (guitar and keyboard). Bleyne says knowing what to expect helped the year 12 and 13 band to prepare for the event at the Totara Street Performing Arts Centre on Friday night.

'There were some pretty good bands out there so it was still nerve-racking,” says Bleyne. 'I think our rhythm section stood out with vocal harmonies and instrumentals, and our songs which have messages about issues in the world today such as domestic violence and war.”

French Doors from Otumoetai College placed second; the band members are Emily Ardern (vocals), Flynn McLaughlin (drums), Grace Finnigan (keyboard), Sloane McNamara (bass) and Jahvis Stantiall (lead guitar).

These two bands win musical gear from associate sponsor NZ Rockshops and their suppliers. They now submit 15 minutes of their best material for selection as national finalists; along with Fletcher Oxford from Tauranga Boys' College and Samantha McCutchan from Taupo-nui-a-Tia College who placed first and second in the Bay of Plenty solo-duo section announced at the regional heats in May.

From here on the Bay of Plenty finalists will have to be well organised and work hard to make the most of the opportunity Smokefreerockquest offered, says founder and director Pete Rainey.

'They have to submit video footage of their original music that will be judged in August as we lead up to the national final,” says Pete.

'This process not only demands musical ability and creativity, they also learn to work together as a group and to develop the organisation and promotional skills they'll need if they're going to make it on the Kiwi music scene.”

The full list of awards made on Saturday is:

Band 1st: Made Alive, Whakatane and Trident High Schools Band 2nd: French Doors, Otumoetai College

Band 3rd: Bare Knuckled, Katikati and Rutherford Colleges

Smokefree Pacifica Beats Award (announced at heats): Te Urewera, TKKM o Huiarau, Ruatahuna Solo/Duo 1st (announced at heats): Fletcher Oxford from Tauranga Boys' College Solo/Duo 2nd (announced at heats): Samantha McCutchan from Taupo-nui-a-Tia College APRA Lyric Award: Mackenzie Lines, Jovi, Bethlehem College Lowdown Best Song: Anastasia, Western Heights High School The Mainz Musicianship Award: Andrew Hannagan, guitarist, Bare Knuckled, Katikati College Smokefree Vocals Award: Te Urewera, TKKM o Huiarau People's Choice voted by text: Anastasia, Western Heights High School

The regional events for both Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica Beats run from May 12 until July 7, with the top regional bands and solo/duos submitting video footage for selection to play off at the Smokefree Pacifica Beats national final on Friday September 1 at the Dorothy Winstone Centre in Auckland, followed by the Smokefreerockquest national final on Saturday September 2.

Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners' prize packages for bands and solo/duo winners that includes $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, a $16,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package' a ‘Decent Exposure' campaign on The Edge TV, a photo shoot and branding package from Imaginary Friends. There is also the MAINZ (Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand) Scholarship for Outstanding Musicianship, the APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) Lyric Award, the Lowdown Best Song Award, Smokefree Vocals Award, and the People's Choice voted by text with the opportunity to open the Smokefreerockquest national final.

Musical successes from Smokefreerockquest over its 28-year history include Broods, Leroy Clampitt, Kimbra, Aaradhna, Opshop, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Kids of 88, Die!Die!Die!, Joel Little, Tiny Ruins, Marlon Williams, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Kora, Thomston, Midnight Youth, Steriogram, Phoenix Foundation, Devilskin, The Black Seeds, Bic Runga, and The Naked and Famous; Smokefree Pacifica Beats standout successes include Nesian Mystik, the only New Zealand band to ever have ten singles all certified gold or platinum.

Smokefreerockquest – 28 years of musical success: Smokefreerockquest is New Zealand's only nationwide, live, original music, youth event. The series of over 30 events provides young musicians with the opportunity to perform live in a professional setting, in venues from Whangarei to Invercargill. Smokefreerockquest 2017, powered by Rockshop, aims to motivate young musicians to prove their abilities, to realise the opportunities available in music careers, and to encourage their peers to support 100 percent original New Zealand music. The original founders Glenn Common and Pete Rainey were honoured with the MNZM in 2013, and continue to lead the team that now runs this New Zealand institution. For more information visit www.sfrq.nz

Smokefree Pacifica Beats: Smokefree Pacifica Beats recognises and reflects the unique cultural identity of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific. Participants must incorporate Maori/Polynesian language, instruments, dance or movement in their performance. The event motivates young musicians to prove their ability with cultural relevance, and to encourage their peers to support 100 percent original Aotearoa Kiwi music. For more information go to www.smokefreepacificabeats.nz

Smokefree: Smokefree has been supporting young Kiwis to showcase their passions for music for over