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Jump to > Coke Smokefree Rockquest 2003 | History | Industry input | Winners and awards

History of the Rockquest

1988: Christchurch radio station C93FM organized the first ROCKQUEST a single local event.

1989: Current national organizers took over the event and formed Rockquest Promotions.

1990: Coca-Cola Rockquest became a nationwide event, with five regional finals and a national final.

1991: Event became known as SMOKEFREE ROCKQUEST, and a one-hour television programme was made for TV2.

1993: Nelson and Gisborne regions added. An award was introduced to encourage women musicians. Pagan Records signed Bic Runga directly after her Rockquest national final performance, and she was subsequently signed to Sony for international release.

1994: Event grew to nine regional finals and a national final.

1996: Funding from Creative New Zealand and Creative Communities enabled 12 regional finals to be held.

1997: A new major co-sponsor, XTRA Telecom Internet Services, joined with the Health Sponsorship Council, giving the event a boost on all fronts. There were more regional finals, an award-winning website, and a new 'look and feel' for the whole event.

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1998: Event grew to 15 regional finals and almost 500 groups entered. Atlantic records signed Anika Moa directly after her national final performance.

1999: Pepsi Cola Bottlers NZ Ltd joined Smokefree as a major co-sponsor. The event spread to 18 regions.

2000: Smokefree Pacifica Beats national final added. Both national finals featured Nesian Mystik.

2001: Coca-Cola joined Smokefree as a major co-sponsor. The addition of a Rotorua final saw the event grow to 20 regional finals. The television property changed from a single programme to a three-episode series. This series format proved successful with the show winning two major awards for Children's TV. A record total of 600 bands entered.

2002: Television show grew to five half-hour shows, and the event delivered The Have direct to the music industry – their immediate success marked the beginning of a new era.

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