Rotorua band Kotahi Te Rā wins Smokefree Tangata Beats 2025

The stage was on fire at Auckland’s ASB Waterfront Theatre over the weekend as the Smokefree Tangata Beats National Final hit full volume.

With an exceptional performance of original music, Kotahi Te Rā from Rotorua Boys’ High School came out on top and claimed the 2025 winning band title.

“It feels good to win,” Wepiha Webster says, adding that the win took them by surprise. “We’re proud of ourselves.”

“We just came to jam and have fun, and to share the message of our songs. It’s about [rising] up and [to] have a voice.

The five-piece band is made up of Webster, Te Ariki Rogers on bass, Te Irimana Edmunds on guitar, and Te Rauna Webster-Tarei and Te Umairangi Webster-Tarei as vocalists, who together represent Te Arawa, Tūhoe, Te Whānau a Apanui, and Ngāpuhi iwi.

Their prize package includes $3000 in music equipment and gear from the Rockshop, and an $8000 NZ On Air grant to record and release a single with a music video.

Their name, Kotahi Te Rā, came from when the band had just one day’s practice before the Rotorua regional competition.

Webster says their goal as a collective is to encourage young Māori to fulfil their creative potential by exploring multiple performing arts pathways.

“We want to demonstrate to the younger generation that you don’t have to be heard just through kaupapa haka.

“It could be other things like theatre, music, whatever your passion is.”

The judging panel for the national final this year included industry professionals such as Lance Fepuleai, also known as Lucky Lance, singer-songwriter Annie Crummer, Jeff Newton from NZ On Air, and Tonisha Roni from APRA AMCOS.

Newton believed Kotahi Te Rā had a winning edge.

“They were the most realised band. They had a very clear identity and they knew who they were and what they stood for. Technically, they were one of the most sound acts of the night.”

Winners’ roll call

Hawke’s Bay’s Mana Whenua, from Tamatea and Flaxmere Colleges, came in second place in the band category, earning $1500 in equipment.

The winning Solo/Duo title went to Levol Y from Manurewa High School. Joshua Engu and Charles Lia wove their Cook Islands Māori and Sāmoan heritages into their winning performance, receiving $1000 worth of Rockshop gear.

Other prizes handed out on the night include the Musicianship Award, which went to drummer Augustine Panapa Lote from Manurewa High School’s band, Nesian 8.

The Smokefree Best Vocal was awarded to Jaya Rees, of Crown from Alfriston College, while the Smokefree Mana Wahine Award went to Khonnah Vanilau, of The Saplings (Hagley College and Christchurch Girls - Te Kura o Hine Waiora).

The band, Lights Go Out, made up of students from three schools - Te Kura Waenga O Rutherford, Whanganui High School, and Cullinane College, received the Te Reo Award. The NZ Music Commission Best Song award was won by Revival from Aorere College.

Joshua Engu and Charles Lia of Levol Y claimed best Solo/Duo act. Photo/Supplied

Smokefree Tangata Beats, which runs alongside Smokefreerockquest, is a platform for young artists to showcase Aotearoa and Pacific identity through music.

Past successors include some of the country’s most prominent artists like Adeaze, Spacifix, Nesian Mystic, Ria Hall, Alien Weaponry, and Strangely Arousing - a band also from Rotorua.

Support from Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga - The Ministry of Education, The Wright Family Foundation, NZ Rockshop, Ministry of Youth Development, Creative NZ, Four Winds Foundation, Lion Foundation, and Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has kept the kaupapa thriving for over three decades.

More than music

Dr Nick Chamberlain, the National Director Public Health Service, says Health New Zealand has proudly partnered with Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats for 35 years.

“This is vital for our young people and communities. Being smokefree and vapefree is about more than just health - it’s about honouring your art, your wairua, and your potential expressed through music.

“We love seeing rangatahi from across New Zealand come together to celebrate creativity, wellbeing, and celebrating every breath with mana. Congratulations to all the winners.”

Selah Hart, the Interim National Director of Hauora Māori Services, says the competitions have given rangatahi the chance to express their identity through music while promoting a smokefree and vapefree lifestyle.

“These events are not only about performance, they are about identity, resilience, and the collective wellbeing of our communities.

“We are proud to support kaupapa that uplift Māori and empower our young people to lead with mana and purpose, kia kaha rangatahi mā.”

With Kotahi Te Rā now set to record their debut single and music video, winning Smokefree Tangata Beats is just the beginning.

Smokefree Tangata Beats National Final Awards and prizes

Awards:

1st placed band: Kotahi Te Ra - Rotorua Boys High School (Rotorua)

2nd placed band: Manawhenua - Flaxmere College & Tamatea High School (Hawkes Bay - Te Matau-a-Māui)

3rd placed band: Crown - Alfriston College (Auckland - Tāmaki Makaurau)

1st place solo-duo: Levol Y - Manurewa College (Auckland - Tāmaki Makaurau)

Smokefree Mana Wahine Award: Khonnah Vanilau of The Saplings - Hagley College & Christchurch Girls-Te Kura o Hine Waiora (Christchurch - Waitaha)

NZ Music Commission Best Song: Revival - Aorere College (Auckland - Tāmaki Makaurau)

Smokefree Best Vocal: Jaya Rees of Crown - Alfriston College (Auckland - Tāmaki Makaurau)

Te Reo Award: Lights Go Out - Te Kura Waenga O Rutherford, Whanganui High School, Cullinane College (Whanganui)

Musicianship Award: Augustine Panapa Lote (Drums) Nesian 8 - Manurewa High School (Auckland - Tāmaki Makaurau)

Prizes:

1st place wins: $3k of musical equipment from the Rockshop, plus an $8k NZ On Air Recording and Video Grant, and promotion, mentoring, and ongoing support from the Rockquest Promotions team.

2nd place wins: $1500 of musical equipment from the Rockshop, and a song professionally recorded.

3rd place band win: $500 worth of music gear from NZ Rockshop

Musicianship Award wins: $500 cash

Smokefree Mana Wahine Award wins: $500 cash

NZ Music Commission Best Song Award wins: $500 cash

Smokefree Best Vocals Award wins: $500 cash

Te Reo Award wins: $500 cash