August 16, 2022
Competition crash course for rangatahi songwriters
Te Arawa Whānau Ora is looking for rangatahi keen to get serious about their waiata.
Its TOITŪ songwriting competition will give finalists four months to work with mentors on their submitted work, with a $5000 prize on offer.
There will also be wananga with local artists, hitmakers and rangatira.
Organiser Selwyn Lloyd says the competition aims to promote Whānau Ora’s Smokefree and Vapefree kaupapa and get rangatahi doing something constructive after two years of COVID-19 restrictions.
It’s been endorsed by established artists.
“When we explained this is the journey we wanted to take these rangatahi on, having them say to us ‘I wish I had this when I was coming up.’ The money’s there, but it’s definitely it’s more about what you are going to learn along the way,” he says.
Registrations are open for rangatahi aged 13-18, for bands and individuals, and forms can be found on TOITŪ’s Facebook page.