On June 10, Baypark, also known as Mercury Arena, will be buzzing with the vibrant energy of young performers as it hosts the Bay of Plenty regional event of Showquest, New Zealand's largest student performing arts competition.

The stage will be set for an unforgettable showcase of talent, where students from schools from around the region will exhibit their creativity - weaving together art, music, dance, drama, culture, and technology into a themed performance. 

As part of a nationwide tour covering 10 centers and 15 shows, students from the Bay of Plenty are sixth up to showcase their talent.

Participating in school teams of up to 100, this performing arts event is a significant opportunity for students to learn through experience; developing important life skills in teamwork, communication, leadership, and goal setting.

The preparation and presentation of their performances will showcase a collaborative effort among students in each school team, blending talents in dance, acting, music, editing, filming, choreography, storytelling, lighting design, wearable art creation, and beyond.

This year demand is greater than ever from students taking part in Showquest which is at capacity with 6,500 kids taking part nationally across primary, intermediate, and secondary.

More than 200 schools are involved in Showquest – that’s 10 per cent of NZ schools.

Showquest is just one of seven programmes run by Rockquest Promotions Group which gives young people in Aotearoa a stage to create, develop and thrive.

"Showquest is a celebration of youth voice and creativity," says event producer Kelsey Moller.

"The kaupapa is about providing a supportive and empowering space where students can express their ideas, skills, and talents - and feel celebrated.

"Now in our seventh year, we are able to see the massive difference participating in Showquest can have on young people.

"The feedback from teachers and students is strongly reflecting that not only are the young people learning through experience in a way that is fun and engaging - but they’re also developing personally. We are hearing that students' confidence, resilience, and sense of belonging is strengthening through their participation."

This year's competition features a Junior Section for students in years 1-8 and an Open Section, where they can challenge high school students, showcasing the wide range of talent across age groups.

The regional winning performances from both sections will advance to a highly anticipated national final in August, streamed online.

Bay of Plenty's young artists are also encouraged to participate in 'Toi,' a partnership with World of WearableArt (WOW), which challenges students to transform traditional art into spectacular wearable creations. This addition highlights Showquest's dedication to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

Supported by the Ministry of Education (Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga) and a host of partners including the Ministry of Youth Development, ZM, Rockshop, World of WearableArt, Creative NZ and Bernina, Showquest 2024 is set to be a milestone event in New Zealand's performing arts calendar. The Bay of Plenty event is also supported by Creative NZ and the One Foundation.

The school teams performing in the Bay of Plenty regional event are:

Senior:

John Paul College

Katikati College

Rotorua Girls' High School

Rotorua Lakes High School

Junior:

Lynmore Primary School

Mokoia Intermediate School

Mount Maunganui Intermediate

Otumoetai Intermediate School

Pāpāmoa Primary School

St Mary's Catholic School, Putaruru

Tauranga Intermediate School

Te Puke Primary School

And the schools participating in Toi are (information on Toi in the release below):

Senior:

Katikati College

Papamoa College

Rotorua Lakes High School

Tauranga Girls' College

Waihi College

Junior:

Kaitao Intermediate

Rotorua Intermediate

St Mary's Catholic School, Putaruru

Mokoia Intermediate School

Tauranga Intermediate School

Greenpark School

Mount Maunganui Intermediate

The journey to the national final will take us from Northland to Southland, with an online competition ensuring inclusivity for schools outside the main event regions.

Showquest is not just an event; it's a movement towards nurturing the next generation of New Zealand's artists, thinkers, and leaders.

Don't miss out on this vibrant celebration of New Zealand's young talent. Join us on Monday 10th at Mercury Arena (Baypark) to witness the future of performing arts unfold.

Spectacular Wearable Art to Take Centre Stage at Showquest's Toi Across Aotearoa

In an exciting celebration of artistry and innovation, Toi will return to the Showquest stage in 2024 in collaboration with the prestigious World of WearableArt (WOW).

In this nationwide competition, student artists and designers are encouraged to get creative, outlandish, weird, and wonderful as they conceptualise and construct handmade wearable art garments. Toi entries are open to all students enrolled in New Zealand schools.

Toi will be featured as part of the Showquest performing arts events set to take place across ten regions with fifteen shows across Aotearoa.

Starting in May and continuing through June, these events provide a stage for students from years 1 to 13 to display their unique ingenuity and imagination.

Participating students or groups have the opportunity to design and create garments which reflect one of four dynamic themes: Stories of the South Pacific, Year 3024, Larger than Life, or Myths, Legends, and Fantastic Creatures.

An Open brief is also available for those whose visions extend beyond the themes provided.

Students will have their creations professionally photographed and participate in a runway show to present their work in front of a live audience.

This exposure provides invaluable experience in the ever-evolving worlds of art and design.

Each region’s top wearable art pieces will move onto national judging by none other than WOW’s Dame Suzie Moncrieff and Heather Palmer, whose picks for the winning design teams will be invited to attend the 2024 World of WearableArt Show: DREAM AWAKE in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington this spring.

"Through Toi, we aim to challenge students to push the boundaries of traditional art forms," says event producer Kelsey Moller.

"This collaboration with World of WearableArt enriches our program and provides students a platform to express their artistic visions in a tangible and memorable way."

Showquest and Toi are supported by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth Development, and various regional funders, ensuring a wide-reaching impact and significant community engagement.

The Mercury Arena in Bay of Plenty will see performances on 10 June, followed by a series of shows at the Aotea Centre in Auckland, with the North Shore on 12 June, Greater Auckland on 13 June, and Central/West Auckland on 14 June. Nelson's Trafalgar Centre is up on 17 June, with Canterbury's Douglas Lilburn Auditorium hosting seniors on June 20 and juniors on June 21, concluding in Southland at the Civic Theatre on June 25.

Don’t miss the chance to witness this incredible melding of performance and art! Join us at the nearest Showquest event to support our local rangatahi and tamariki artists and celebrate their talents.

For more information, tickets, and a full schedule of events, visit the Showquest website or contact the event organisers directly