Thursday’s Cancelled take out the top prize at the 2025 Rockshop Bandquest National Final

10 October 2025

Rockshop Bandquest has celebrated its 15th year with record participation, as over 300 bands from around the country took part in 24 regional events across 16 regions – the biggest year yet for the nationwide platform for young musicians. The national final was held online, with regional winners submitting video performances for judging, with Thursday’s Cancelled from Te Awamutu Intermediate named in first place.

Presented by The Wright Family Foundation, and powered by Rockshop – the programme is run by RQP (Rockquest Promotions), who are also known for their successful music and performing arts youth events – Smokefreerockquest, Smokefree Tangata Beats, and Showquest.

In first place, winning $2k credit with NZ Rockshop for their school music department is Thursday’s Cancelled from Te Awamutu Intermediate. The line up of Thursday’s Cancelled is Maraeroa Te Kanawa (vocals, guitar), Zita Harpur (vocals), Ronan Hinchliffe (guitar), Frances Bowmar (bass), Ryan Tonks (drums).

To make it through to the national final, Thursday’s Cancelled first performed at one of the two Rockshop Bandquest events held in the region, where they were required to present two songs or up to six minutes of music. After being named the first-place winner at their regional event, they submitted a performance video to be judged alongside winners from across the country. Securing the national title is a major achievement for this young band.

Judging this year’s national final were award-winning musicians Nat Hutton (There’s A Tuesday) and Rei.

About the winning band, Nat Hutton said, “Thursday’s Cancelled portrayed impressive musicianship from all members, beautiful vocals from two wāhine and smooth harmonies. I was very impressed by the quality of their performance and can see them smashing it in the future if they choose to continue as a group.”

Speaking about the national final Rei said, “I was blown away by the standard of bands at this year’s finals. Not just at the standard of musicianship but the stage craft, the showmanship, the rockstar energy. I can’t wait to see what else these tamariki have in store as they continue to develop their sound.”

Hamish Jackson of The Rockshop, key sponsor for the program, emphasised the performance and educational aspects of the event, saying, “Rockshop Bandquest strikes a great balance between fun, creativity, and meaningful learning, helping young musicians take their first steps onstage. The participants are developing valuable performance skills – not just in showcasing their individual instruments, but in working together to present who they are as a band.”

The National Final results are as follows:

1st $2000 Musical equipment from the Rockshop: Thursday’s Cancelled from Te Awamutu Intermediate
2nd $1500 Musical equipment from the Rockshop: Indigo from Pāpāmoa College
3rd $1000 Musical Equipment from the Rockshop: Ten Toa from Te Kura Waenga O Rutherford | Rutherford Intermediate School

Original Song Wright-er Award – winning $200 Cash for their School Music Department: INDIGO from Pāpāmoa College

Star Vocalist Award (jointly awarded): Finn Rory of Rockfall from Stonefields School
Star Vocalist Award (jointly awarded): Walyn Tafo’ou from Ō Reo from Bathgate Park School
Specialist Instrument Award: Violin Trio (Matthew Chen, Max Han, and Eric Li) for Smooth Criminals from Takapuna Normal Intermediate School
Rockstar Styles Award: Felix Smith of Smooth Criminals from Takapuna Normal Intermediate School
Killer Guitarist Award: Both Lead Guitarists (Giana Carrancho and Zoe Wilson) from Deep Fried from Murrays Bay Intermediate
Rock-solid Bassist Award: Maximus Bai of Rock Ninjas from Point View School
Rocking Drummer Award: Bruno Blampied of Stranger Danger from Mt Aspiring College
Outstanding Keyboardist Award: Zephaniah Telea of Out The Gate from Postgate School

Rockshop Bandquest has been a resounding success this year, with over 300 bands participating in events held across the country from August 13th to September 2nd. The event tour included six events in Auckland, two in Hamilton, Wellington, and Otago, with one event in Tauranga, Hastings, Palmerston North, Gisborne, Nelson and Dunedin, and four events in Christchurch. There was also an online region for student bands based outside of a location holding an event.