Parade march into Rockquest finals

Sunday, 28 June 2026

Mark My Words performs on the big stage.

Hamilton’s Clarence St Theatre was shaken to its foundations on Saturday night as the region’s top young bands took to the stage for the 2026 Smokefreerockquest Waikato regional final.

Parade, from Hamilton Christian School, took out top spot in the Smokefreerockquest Waikato regional finals on Saturday. From left to right are Nicky Mataiti, Isaac Goodare, Georgez Ruffell and Deakin Farmer.

Twelve standout bands and acts made the regional finals with the top two bands, and the top two solo or duo acts, heading into the next phase of the competition.

Hillcrest High School’s Lipstink placed second on the night.

First place group on the night went to indie band Parade from Hamilton Christian School (see full results below), with Lipstink from Hillcrest High School in second.

Moana from Ōtorohanga College, and Robbie Crown from Hamilton Boys' High School were the top two solo/duo acts.

To reach the national finals, the top acts will now have to produce a video to go with their performances which they will submit to a judging panel.

Smokefreerockquest 2026 is presented by the Wright Family Foundation and supported locally by the Gallagher Charitable Trust, WEL Energy Trust, Hamilton City Council, Potter Masonic Trust, Creative Communities Scheme, and Four Winds Foundation.

Smokefreerockquest Waikato Regional Winners 2026:

1st place solo/duo: Moana - Ōtorohanga College.

2nd place solo/duo: Robbie Crown - Hamilton Boys' High School.

1st place band: Parade - Hamilton Christian School.

2nd place band: Lipstink - Hillcrest High School.

3rd place band: Ballerina RiØt - Hamilton Girls' High School.

Musicianship awards: Hunter Davis, lead guitarist from Crescent Lane - Cambridge High School, and Heather Aglasi, lead guitarist from Bulan - Sacred Heart Girls' College.

Honeycomb missed out on a spot in the national finals.

Echoes of Yesterday at Saturday’s Smokefreerockquest Waikato regional finals.

Best vocals award: Georgez Ruffell, Nicky Mataiti from Parade - Hamilton Christian School.

Wright Family Foundation Best Song award: Ballerina RiØt - Hamilton Girls' High School.

APRA Lyric Award: Charlotte Vivian