Congratulations to Head Student Alex Gibson and Year 13 student Reiss Fatani who make up Mind the Gap, on making the national finals of the Smokefreerockquest duo competition.
On Friday, 25 national finalists across the band, duo/solo and Tangata Beats categories were announced.
The finalists earned their place after competing in one of twenty-two regions from the Far North to Southland, where more than 1,100 acts and over 3,700 student performers brought their original music to a professional stage across 37 live events.
Mind the Gap took top spot at the Canterbury Regional Round in early June this year. Following their win, Alex and Reiss were invited to submit three-song performance videos, to be assessed by a judging panel of local musicians, artists and industry professionals.
The 25 finalists will perform at the 2026 National Finals which will be held over the weekend of 17-19 September in Wellington, the first time in over two decades the finals will be held in the capital.
“Generous support from the Freemasons Foundation will help bring regional acts to the capital, ensuring cost isn’t a barrier to participation, while also making mentoring and workshop opportunities available to all finalists to support their musical development.” MusicNZ
All 25 acts also have the opportunity to record a song in a professional recording studio thanks to the Ministry of Education.
The finalists in the solo/duo category are:
● Bella Watson – Waimea College (Nelson)
● Ioteva – Manurewa High School (Manukau)
● Lily Moore – Havelock North High School (Hawkes Bay)
● Mind The Gap – Burnside High School (Canterbury)
● Oscar Walsh – Takapuna Grammar School (North Shore)
● Sophie Toyne – Whanganui High School (Whanganui)
● Stella Riley – Papamoa College (Bay of Plenty)
