A sold-out crowd packed Totara St as Bay of Plenty’s top young musicians took the stage for the Smokefreerockquest regional final, won by Ōtūmoetai College band Grizzlyfish.

Twelve acts had progressed from the regional heat in May, bringing together some of the region’s strongest emerging talent for the final.

Mount Maunganui College’s Spud came second and Why The Face?!, from Whakatāne High School, were third, a media release from the Smokefreerockquest organisers said.

With loud support from the crowd, Grizzlyfish said they were overwhelmed by the win.

“We couldn’t have done it without the other bands, the Ōtūmoetai College music department, and all of the Smokefreerockquest team. We are in shock – absolute shock!” the band said.

Grizzlyfish and Spud now move on to the video submission stage, alongside the region’s top two solo and duo performers selected earlier, as they compete for a place in the 2026 national finals.

Spud from Mount Maunganui College. Photo / Doug Menzies

Among the solo and duo winners, Stella Riley of Pāpāmoa College placed first, and Sandy Corsame of Tauranga Girls’ College was second. In the Smokefree Tangata Beats section, Breadfruit - Mount Maunganui College - secured the regional band title.

A number of special awards were also presented on the night, recognising standout performances in musicianship, vocals, songwriting and electronic performance.

Smokefreerockquest 2026 is presented by the Wright Family Foundation and has local support from the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund, Lion Foundation, Potter Masonic Trust and Four Winds Foundation.

Bay of Plenty full 2026 regional award list:

Smokefreerockquest Regional Winners – Solo/Duo

● 1st place: Stella Riley - Papamoa College: $250 musical equipment from the Rockshop

● 2nd place: Sandy Corsame - Tauranga Girls’ College: $100 musical equipment from the Rockshop

Smokefree Tangata Beats Regional Winner – Band

●1st place: Breadfruit - Mount Maunganui College

●2nd place: Deffex - Mount Maunganui College

Smokefreerockquest Regional Winners – Band

● 1st place: Grizzlyfish - Ōtūmoetai College: $600 musical equipment from the Rockshop

● 2nd place: Spud - Mount Maunganui College: $400 musical equipment from the Rockshop

● 3rd place: Why The Face?! - Whakatane High School: $250 musical equipment from the Rockshop

Special Awards

● Musicianship Awards: Sciennaj Belcher, lead singer from Technical Difficulties - Ōtūmoetai College. Damian Mazzutti, bassist from Grizzlyfish - Ōtūmoetai College

● Smokefree Best Vocals Award: Phoebe Askew, from Why the Face?! - Whakatāne High School

● Wright Family Foundation Best Song Award: Grizzlyfish - Ōtūmoetai College

● APRA Lyric Award: Anna King - Te Puke High School

● Rockshop Electronic Assist Performance Award: Trolley - Havelock North High School