Young Māori Songwriters Shine: Play It Strange Announces 2025 Waiata Māori Competition Winners!
Aotearoa's rising stars in Māori songwriting have been celebrated! Play It Strange, a leading organisation dedicated to nurturing young musicians, has announced the winners of the prestigious 2025 Waiata Māori Songwriting Competition. This year's competition saw a surge in entries from high school students across the country, making the selection process incredibly challenging.
The Waiata Māori Songwriting Competition, open to students in Years 9-13, provides a vital platform for young Māori artists to showcase their talent and connect with their heritage through music. The competition aims to encourage the creation of original songs that reflect Māori language, culture, and contemporary experiences.
“We were blown away by the quality and creativity of the entries this year,” said [Play It Strange CEO Name - *Please insert actual name*], CEO of Play It Strange. “It’s incredibly inspiring to see these young people using music to express their stories and connect with their identity. The future of Māori music in Aotearoa is bright!”
And the winners are...
- [Winner 1 Name] - [School Name] - [Song Title] - [Brief Description of Song/Why it stood out]
- [Winner 2 Name] - [School Name] - [Song Title] - [Brief Description of Song/Why it stood out]
- [Winner 3 Name] - [School Name] - [Song Title] - [Brief Description of Song/Why it stood out]
- [Winner 4 Name] - [School Name] - [Song Title] - [Brief Description of Song/Why it stood out]
- [Winner 5 Name] - [School Name] - [Song Title] - [Brief Description of Song/Why it stood out]
Each winning song will receive [mention prizes - e.g., recording time, mentorship, performance opportunities]. The winning entries will also be featured on the Play It Strange website and shared across their social media channels, giving these talented young musicians a wider audience.
Play It Strange continues to champion young musicians across Aotearoa, providing opportunities for them to develop their skills, connect with industry professionals, and share their music with the world. The Waiata Māori Songwriting Competition is a cornerstone of this mission, celebrating the richness and vibrancy of Māori music and culture.
Want to learn more about Play It Strange and their initiatives? Visit [Play It Strange website address - *Please insert actual website address*]
