A Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) band took first place in the band category at the Central Otago Regional final of Smokefreerockquest on Saturday (June 14).

The ‘Superficial’ band members - Alex Kettle, Tommy Cotter, Harrison Eastwood, Archie Bruce, and Jayden Robertson - will now film a 15-minute music video to be considered for the national top 30, with the goal of reaching the Smokefree Rockquest National Final in Auckland this September. 

The band is following in the footsteps of MAC band ‘Spoken’, which reached the national finals in 2023.

Forty-seven MAC students took part in the event at the Lake Wānaka Centre along with student bands from across Central Otago.

Kasey Brooks from ‘Third Party’ received the Musicianship Award. PHOTO: Gareth Hodges

MAC co-head of arts Mat Doyle said the students had been rehearsing for months to prepare for the event, with many of them performing songs developed as part of their NCEA coursework.

Other MAC musicians were recognised with awards at the regional final: Juno Gerlach ('Juno') received the ZM Lyric Award; Kasey Brooks from ‘Third Party’ received the Musicianship Award; and ‘Superficial’ also won Best Use of Electronic Assistance.

Juno Gerlach ('Juno') received the ZM Lyric Award. PHOTO: Gareth Hodges

Smokefreerockquest is New Zealand's live, original music, youth event which gives young musicians the opportunity to perform live in a professional setting. The event aims to motivate young musicians to strive for success, to realise the opportunities available in music careers, and to encourage their peers to support original New Zealand Music.

Full results of the Central Otago Regional Final 2025:

Band category:

1st – Superficial – MAC

2nd – Stolen Rings – Dunstan High School

3rd – 10:37 – Wakatipu High School

Solo/duo:

1st – George Newhouse – Wakatipu High School

2nd – Mala – Wakatipu High School

Additional Awards:

Best Vocalist – Singer from Offshore (Cromwell College)

Musicianship Award – Drummer from Bad Haircuts (Cromwell College)

Musicianship Award – Kasey Brooks from Third Party (MAC)

Best Song – Little Road – Wakatipu High School

ZM Lyric Award – Juno (MAC)

Best Use of Electronic Assistance – Superficial (MAC)