Two Bay of Plenty schools are celebrating their regional wins in the junior and open sections of this year's Showquest.

The Bay of Plenty regional event of Showquest, New Zealand's largest student performing arts competition was hosted by Mercury Arena Baypark on Monday, June 10.

The unforgettable evening featured school teams from around the Bay of Plenty, showcasing performances that incorporated the six Showquest elements of art, music, dance, drama, culture, and technology into a themed performance piece.

In the Junior section, Ōtūmoetai Intermediate took the title with their piece entitled ‘Wounded Hearts’.

In the Open section, Rotorua Girls’ High School took out the winning spot with their piece ‘Ko Ōku Tūpuna Ko Au, Ko Au Ko Ōku Tūpuna’.

Rotorua Girls’ High School Student Leader Dee Jay Selwyn beamed with excitement as they spoke about how amazing it was to be in first place.

“It’s about Māori and Tangata Tiriti coming together as one," says Dee Jay.

"Especially in modern day society, our culture is getting stripped away from us so this was our story to tell that we’re all here as one.”

Teams were judged overall on their production, performance, movement, and theme.

The 2024 Bay of Plenty judges were Karis Vernon, Helen O'Connor, and Jason Te Mete (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngai Te Rangi).

Reflecting on the night, all three judges spoke succinctly in sequence: “Epic talent!” “Epic performances!” “Epic night!”

Showquest, launched in 2018, is run by RQP (Rockquest Promotions) - the pioneering force behind iconic youth competitions such as Smokefreerockquest, Smokefree Tangata Beats, and Rockshop Bandquest.

Through Showquest, RQP extends its commitment to fostering creativity and expression among New Zealand's youth. RQP also offers platforms OnScreen (film), Toi (wearable art), and Stills (photography).

Showquest Director and RQP General Manager Matt Ealand says that Showquest provides a growth opportunity for students that goes beyond developing skills in the performing arts.

"Platforms such as Showquest are pivotal for nurturing students' creative expression and their deeper engagement with the arts," says Matt.

"Participants are not just honing their artistic skills across the educational elements of Showquest – art, music, dance, drama, culture, and technology; they're also developing critical life skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, and goal-setting.

"Watching these young artists share their thoughts and talents on stage is a true privilege for us. Their ingenuity and dedication is inspiring.”

Showquest is made possible by the support of the Ministry of Education.

The full list of awards from Showquest Bay of Plenty Junior:

1st Place: Otumoetai Intermediate
2nd Place: Te Puke Primary School
3rd Place: Pāpāmoa Primary School
Best Choreography (Movement): Otumoetai Intermediate
Highly Commended Choreography (Movement): Mount Maunganui Intermediate
Best Drama: Otumoetai Intermediate
Highly Commended Drama: Pāpāmoa Primary School 
Best Lighting: Otumoetai Intermediate  
Highly Commended Lighting: Te Puke Primary School
Best Props: Lynmore Primary School                     
Best Styling: Pāpāmoa Primary School
Highly Commended Styling: Mokoia Intermediate
Best Theme: Lynmore Primary School
Highly Commended Theme: Tauranga Intermediate          
Best Video Wall: St Mary's Catholic School
Highly Commended Video Wall: Mount Maunganui Intermediate              
Zm Soundtrack Award: Te Puke Primary School
Highly Commended Zm Soundtrack: Mokoia Intermediate            
Best Live Music: Tauranga Intermediate
Highly Commended Live Music: St Mary's Catholic School                 
Public Speaking Award: Tauranga Intermediate
Whetū Rangatahi - Star Of The Show: Kapa Haka Solo Singer Pāpāmoa Primary School
       
The full list of awards from Showquest Bay of Plenty Open:

1st Place: Rotorua Girls' High School
2nd Place: John Paul College
3rd Place: Rotorua Lakes High School
Best Choreography (Movement): Rotorua Girls' High School
Highly Commended Choreography (Movement): John Paul College
Best Drama: John Paul College
Highly Commended Drama: Rotorua Girls' High School
Best Lighting: Rotorua Lakes High School
Highly Commended Lighting: John Paul College
Best Props: Katikati College           
Best Styling: Rotorua Lakes High School
Highly Commended Styling: Rotorua Girls' High School
Best Theme: Rotorua Girls' High School 
Best Video Wall: Katikati College      
Zm Soundtrack Award: Rotorua Lakes High School
Best Live Music: Katikati College                      
Public Speaking Award: Rotorua Girls' High School

Showquest is being staged in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatū, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury, and Southland. A National Digital Final will name the top entry nationwide in August.

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, and Bernina, Showquest 2024 is set to be a milestone event in New Zealand's performing arts calendar.

Showquest Bay of Plenty is also supported by Creative NZ, One Foundation, TAURANGA Community Event Fund, and the Lion Foundation.