A Tauranga Boys' College band is celebrating after winning third place overall in this year's Smokefreerockquest national final on the weekend.

Unit 51, a band at Tauranga Boys’ College, have placed third nationally at Saturday night's National Final of Smokefreerockquest at Q Theatre held in Auckland. 

The band, made up of  Otto Blake-Palmer on bass, Aaron McDaniel on drums, and Daniel Leabourn on vocals and guitar win $3000 in musical equipment from NZ Rockshop.

Additionally, Daniel won the Musicianship Award, which has a prize of $500 cash. 

At the event the National Director of Te Whatu Ora - National Public Health Service Nick Chamberlain addressed the ‘Top 10’ national finalists to congratulate them, and recognised the impact the Covid pandemic had made on them.

“I want to acknowledge all of you, whether you’re a winner or you’re not, for your talent and commitment," says Nick.

“You’ve had to call on great resilience in recent years with disruption in school… supporting your band mates, your classmates, your schoolmates and your families.

"It can’t have been easy staying focused on your goals. And for some, I know getting back into music was a really important pathway to getting back into the rhythm of school and being with your friends again.

"Well done for giving space and energy to your art and creativity.”

The judges at the event were Mikhal Norris - NZME, Jeff Newton - NZ On Air,  Ellie Smith - Live Nation, and musicians - Matt Warman, Nat Hutton, and Lepani.  

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 Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand. 

The full list of awards made at the national final is:  

1st placed band: Parkdale - Mount Albert Grammar School, Selwyn College

2nd placed band: Bleeding Star - Wellington High School, Hutt Valley High School

3rd placed band: Unit 51 - Tauranga Boys’ College

1st placed solo/duo: Salem - Gisborne Boys’ High School 

2nd placed solo/duo: JOLA BURNS - Nayland College, Nelson College For Girls

Musicianship Award: Daniel Leabourn of Unit 51 - Tauranga Boys’ College

Smokefree Best Vocals Award: Ilaisa'ane Tokelau Jr of M1 - James Cook High School

ZM Best Song Award: Parkdale - Mount Albert Grammar School, Selwyn College

APRA Lyric Award: Alyssa Harley - Whanganui High School 

Rockshop Electronic Performance Award: Flynn Adamson - Middleton Grange School 

The National Public Health Service, Te Whatu Ora, Director of Health Promotion Kathrine Clarke, says that Smokefreerockquest, and Smokefree Tangata Beats which runs alongside it, are important kaupapa for our communities.

“Young People have amazing talent and showcasing this is important," says Kathrine.

"Positive outlets such as Smokefreerockquest, Smokefree Tangata Beats should be celebrated. This is why we are proud to have supported Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats for nearly 35 years.

"Smoking-related long-term conditions can have a huge impact on our communities. It is the youth of today who will carry this kaupapa forward by encouraging their peers and whānau to stop smoking or to not start.

“Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats is such an important kaupapa for ourcommunities. We love seeing our rangatahi come together with resilience, mana andcreativity to express themselves through music.

"Being smokefree and vapefree means honouring your art and performing at your best. It means you’re looking after your wellbeing and wairua and celebrating every breath.”

Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners’ prize packages for bands and solo/duo winners that includes $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, $16,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package, a photo shoot and branding package from Imaginary Friends. There is also the Musicianship Award, the APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) Lyric Award, Rockshop Electronic Performance Award, ZM Best Song Award, and Vocals Award.  

 Musical successes from Smokefreerockquest include Broods, Marlon Williams, Fazerdaze, Aldous Harding, Nadia Reid, Drax Project, Six60, Troy Kingi,  Leisure, Opshop, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Joel Little, There’s A Tuesday, Teeks,  Tiny Ruins, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Chelsea Jade,  Die!Die!Die!, Leroy Clampitt, Robinson, Steriogram, Phoenix Foundation, Skinny Hobos, Kimbra, Aaradhna, The Black Seeds, Bic Runga, and Balu Brigada. 

Smokefree Tangata Beats standout successes include Alien Weaponry, Strangely Arousing, and Nesian Mystik, the only New Zealand band to ever have ten singles all certified gold or platinum. 

Prizes:

1st place band wins - $10k Musical equipment from the Rockshop, plus an $8k NZ On Air Recording and Video Grant, and promotion, mentoring and on-going support from the Rockquest Promotions team

2nd place band wins - $5k Musical equipment from the Rockshop

3rd place band wins - $3k Musical Equipment from the Rockshop

1st place solo/duo wins - $3k Musical Equipment from the Rockshop, plus Recording and Music Video from NZ on Air

2nd place solo/duo wins - $1k Musical Equipment from the Rockshop

ZM Best Song Award wins - a song professionally recorded

Musicianship Award wins - $500 cash

Smokefree Best Vocals Award wins - $500 cash

APRA Lyric Award wins - $500 cash

Rockshop Electronic Performance Award wins - Ableton Push 2 Live Performance Instrument USB/MIDI Controller, and Ableton Live 11 Suite Edition Music Production Software