2026 Competitions - open now!

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24 MAY
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28 JUNE
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26 JULY
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2 AUG
OUR COMPETITIONS

Designed to draw original songs from the world of young creatives.

Junior Songwriting Competition 2026 (Year 9-11) - Closes 3 May

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Peace Project 2026 - Closes 24 May

- The Wright Family Foundation

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Waiata Māori Competition 2026 - Closes 28 June

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National Songwriting Competition 2026 (Year 9-13) - Closes 26 July

- The Lion Foundation

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Strange Album Art Competition 2026 - Closes 3 August

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Alumni

Play It Strange has operated for over two decades, encouraging NZ secondary school students to creatively express themselves through music.

We're proud that our alumni list includes many talented artists who continue to make waves in the Aoteaora music industry and beyond.
View all Alumni

Rei

ALUMNI

Rei

Wellington College

"Too Proud" - 2011

‍

CHAII

ALUMNI

CHAII

Epsom Girls Grammar School

"QuoiChiWat - Mix Up" - 2009

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Kimbra

ALUMNI

Kimbra

Hillcrest High School

"It Takes Time" - 2004

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ELIZABETH

STOKES

ALUMNI

Elizabeth Stokes

Macleans College

"Wave At Me From Across The Sea” - 2008

‍

Georgia

Nott

ALUMNI

Georgia Nott

Garin College

"Better" - 2012

‍

Luca

George

ALUMNI

Luca George

Mount Aspiring College

"Lonely Tonight"

"Blue Again"

LISTEN

2025 Junior Songwriting Competition
Volume 3
2025 Peace Song Competition
Volume 3
2025 National Songwriting Competition
Volume 3
2025 Waiata Māori Competition
Listen to more on Bandcamp
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Alumni

Play It Strange has operated for over two decades, encouraging NZ secondary school students to creatively express themselves through music.

We're proud that our alumni list includes many talented artists who continue to make waves in the Aoteaora music industry and beyond.
View Alumni here
Wellington College
Rei
Listen
Man In White Shirt
Mount Aspiring College
Luca George
Listen
Man In White Shirt
Macleans College
Elizabeth Stokes
Listen
Man In White Shirt
Hillcrest High School
Kimbra
Listen
Man In White Shirt
Garin College
Georgia Nott
Listen
Man In White Shirt
Epsom Girls Grammar School
CHAII
Listen
Man In White Shirt
Featured Alumni
Louie Baker
View Bandcamp
Man In White Shirt
Featured Alumni
Louie Baker
View Bandcamp
Man In White Shirt

2025 ALBUM

National Songwriting Competition (Year 9-13) Compilation
Listen
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2025 ALBUM

Peace Song Competition
Compilation
Listen
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2025 ALBUM

Waiata Māori Competition
Listen
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2025 ALBUM

Junior Songwriting Competition (Year 9-11) Compilation
Listen
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OUR PODCAST

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A PLAY IT STRANGE PODCAST

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