27/12/2025
******ATTENTION PERFORMERS*********
You may have noticed that there just are not as many Country Music Awards left in the South Island as there used to be. Infact in the first 6 months of the year there are currently NONE. However our Sun City Awards team believe there still could be a demand for more competitions – particularly an awards to enter (and have a good practice/run through at) BEFORE The NZ Gold Guitar Awards at King’s Birthday Weekend.
We normally run a big Sun City Awards fundraising concert in the Motueka Memorial Hall every year (it’s a great venue!) BUT we have been discussing the idea of running another (slightly smaller) awards in Motueka as a fundraiser instead of our normal concert.
Here’s the proposal:
‘The Top of the South Country Talent Quest’
May 2nd & 3rd 2026
Motueka Memorial Hall
Sections:
Junior Vocal Solo (Under 13)
Intermediate Vocal Solo (13yrs-17 yrs)
Under 18 Country Gospel
Under 18 Country Rock
Senior Vocal Solo
Senior Country Gospel
Senior Country Rock
Veteran (55+) Vocal Solo
Veteran Country Gospel
Veteran Country Rock
Open Duo/Group
Open NZ Song?? (maybe)
All Section prizes would be 1st place $100, 2nd Place $50
Under 18 Overall and Runner Up ($200 & $50)
Senior Overall ($200 & $50)
Veteran Overall ($200 & $50)
(No trophies only Certificates.)
Every performer will receive written feedback (comment sheets) from judges.
Singing heats would run Saturday 8.30am till 5.30pm and Sunday Morning 8.30am till 12.30pm, with The Grand Finals Showcase being held on Sunday Afternoon. (approx 2pm till 5pm)
There would be only 1 Venue/Band. (This will be a similar line-up to the ‘Dynamics ‘ band who played in Venue 2 at Sun City)
Entries would be limited to 160 (songs entered not number of performers)
This is still in the proposal stages. If you would maybe be keen to come up to Motueka and enter this competition PLEASE COMMENT ON THIS POST: (“I might be keen to enter” or “I’m Interested” or "I would come and watch" etc)
If we have enough interest we will Lock it in and open entries in February. If not we will leave it and just have our annual concert . . . let us know peeps!
