About

Smokefree Tangata Beats is a live, original music, nationwide, youth event that recognises and reflects the unique cultural identity of Aotearoa New Zealand and the South Pacific.

The event started in 1994 as the Urban Beats Award within Smokefreerockquest. The event has steadily built over the years into a competition in its own right, and was originally called Smokefree Pacifica Beats. It was renamed as Smokefree Tangata Beats for 2018 to be more inclusive.

The Smokefree Tangata Beats competition aims to be a platform for developing and growing young music talent in Aotearoa. It has been a nurturing ground for young artists who are successful today, such as Nesian Mystik – Nesian Mystik are the only New Zealand band to ever have ten singles all certified gold or platinum.

Smokefree Tangata Beats aims to motivate young musicians to prove their ability with cultural relevance and realise the heights they can reach in their music careers, and to encourage their peers to support 100% original Aotearoa Kiwi music.

Read Rockquest promotions history

Dates for 2024



Region

Event Date

Venue

June 14, 2024
Civic Theatre
June 14, 2024
Royal Whanganui Opera House
May 30, 2024
TSB Showplace
May 25, 2024
June 27, 2024
Auckland Girls Grammar
Due Drop Events Centre
May 25, 2024
Sacred Heart College Performing Arts Centre
May 24, 2024
May 25, 2024
(The Canterbury event will likely span over 2 days, but the particulars will be locked in closer to the time dependant on entries numbers)
Aurora Centre, Performing Arts
May 24, 2024
Carterton Event Centre
May 19, 2024
Globe Theatre
May 18, 2024
Taieri College Performing Arts Centre
May 18, 2024
Annesbrook Centre
May 17, 2024
Craighead Dio Performing Arts College
May 12, 2024
Clarence St Theatre
May 11, 2024
Baycourt Theatre
May 10, 2024
Sir Howard Morrison Centre
June 8, 2024
Whangarei Boys High School
Queenstown Memorial Theatre
July 4, 2024
War Memorial Theatre
September 13, 2024
Due Drop Events Centre

COntact

We’d love to hear from you:
Instagram - @tangatabeats
Facebook - @tangatabeats
YouTube - @rockquest

Email us – help@smokefreerockquest.co.nz

Phone us – (03) 545 6574

Write to us – PO Box 568, Nelson

Sponsors

We are extremely grateful for our wonderful sponsors.
Without them, Smokefree Tangata Beats would not be possible.

EHARA KOE I A IA!

FAQs

Who can enter Smokefree Tangata Beats?
When are entries due?
What are the Smokefree Tangata Beats Conditions of Entry?
Can people play in more than one band, 
or enter in a band AND as a soloist?
Can we add, remove or change the members of our band once we’ve entered into Smokefree Tangata Beats?
What happens if one of our band members 
leaves school after we enter?
We entered a while ago but haven’t heard back or 
received any information. What should we do?
How do we change the band name that we entered into Smokefree Tangata Beats?
My band is pulling out of Smokefree Tangata Beats. Who do we contact to let know?
Who do I contact if an entrant, or their friends or whānau who will be attending an event, has ACCESSIBILITY requirements?

History

Smokefree Tangata Beats (www.sftb.nz)


Alongside SFRQ is Smokefree Tangata Beats. This event, again run nationwide for school age students, recognises and reflects the unique cultural identity of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific. Participants must incorporate Te Reo Māori or a Polynesian language, instruments, dance or movement in their performance. The event motivates young musicians to express themselves with cultural relevance, and to encourage their peers to support original Aotearoa Kiwi music.  


Smokefree Tangata Beats standout successes include Alien Weaponry, Strangely Arousing Nesian Mystik, the only New Zealand band to ever have ten singles all certified gold or platinum.