After a record-breaking year of competition entries, producing 876 original songs and waiata, the most in their 23-year history, Play It Strange is thrilled to be back for 2026. Today the charitable trust announces an incredible lineup of 23 world-class artists from throughout Aotearoa, as well as the dates of their 2026 competitions including their Junior, National, Peace Project and Waiata Māori competitions.

Play It Strange CEO Stephanie Brown says: “In 2025, Play It Strange received a record number of song entries from rangatahi across Aotearoa, spanning languages, styles, and genres. Recognising the power of songwriting during the formative teenage years, we’ve brought together 23 established musicians to judge nearly 1,000 original songs written in bedrooms and classrooms across the motu. Our judges span a wide range of musical worlds, ensuring every young songwriter can see themselves reflected in Play It Strange”.

All competitions will open their entries next Monday, 2 February. Entries will then close for the Junior Competition first of all, on Sunday, 3 May, with winners notified by Friday, 22 May. Judges for the junior competition include There’s a Tuesday frontwoman Nat Hutton, young alt-pop songwriter Frankie Venter, award-winning pop icon Boh Runga, reggae and roots trailblazer Laughton Kora, Split Enz alumni and Play It Strange founder Mike Chunn, and soul-pop artist Muroki.

2026 judge Frankie Venter is not only a rising star in Aotearoa’s music scene, but a Play It Strange Alumni who was a finalist in Play It Strange’s 2022 Junior Competition! She says: “It’s such an honour to judge the Junior Competition! Play It Strange is such an incredible organisation for young artists - I’m super excited to hear what people come up with this round! I released my first song through Play It Strange when I was in high school and it was such an awesome kickstart to releasing my own music!"

Sunday, 24 May will then see the Peace Project competition close, with winners being notified by Friday, 12 June. Judged by pop powerhouse and Play It Strange’s very own Paige, genre-blending neo-soul artist Jordyn with a Why, internationally acclaimed soul singer Deva Mahal, award-winning rapper and producer Tom Scott and, once again, Mike Chunn - this competition has been freshly re-named this year to clearly reflect its initiative. The focus is on purpose - using songwriting to respond to the times we are living in and to contribute something meaningful through your art. Entrants are encouraged to write lyrics that reflect their own perspective on peace, whether that relates to personal wellbeing, relationships, community unity, cultural identity, or global issues. Participants are asked to consider why peace matters right now, what it looks like in their own world, and how their song can contribute to the wider project.

Platinum artist Paige returns to the judging panel again this year, after judging the National Competition in 2025. “I’m so passionate about the meaningful and thought provoking songwriting coming out of Aotearoa, especially from our rangatahi. I’ve always loved how in history, music has been shaped by the political and social state of the world and how it’s used to heal us. I’m excited to hear the songs that come out of the Peace Project this year. With the way the world is moving right now we need some good tunes!”

On Sunday 21 June, the Waiata Competition will close, with winners notified by Wednesday 8 July. Powerful wāhine artist Ria Hall, and producer and songwriter Noema Te Hau III will judge this competition, with last year's intake seeing more rangatahi than ever entered. The competition aims to incorporate te reo Māori - whether it’s a few kupu (words) or the entire waiata - to showcase the incredible talent we have in Aotearoa specifically throughout this area of the industry.

Noema Te Hau III is thrilled to be coming on board to judge the Waiata Māori Competition, saying: “Judging the 2026 Play It Strange Waiata Māori Competition is especially meaningful to me because of how waiata Māori has shaped my own creative journey. It’s a privilege to support and uplift rangatahi who are using music to explore identity, perspectives, tell their own unique stories, and carry our culture forward through waiata Māori”.

Play It Strange’s biggest competition of all, the National Songwriting Competition, will close entries on Sunday, 26 July, with winners being notified by Wednesday 19 August.The impressive collection of judges for this year’s National Competition includes pop icon Cassie Henderson, Drax Project’s Shaan Singh, producer and engineer EDY On The Beat, singer-songwriter Riiki Reid, country artist Kaylee Bell, Academy Award-winning songwriter Bret McKenzie, Devilskin lead singer Jennie Skulander, powerhouse singer-songwriter Gin Wigmore, genre-crossing rapper and producer Melodownz, and Play It Strange’s Mike Chunn.

Riiki Reid judges for Play It Strange for the first time this year, and says: “Being a judge in this year's Play It Strange Competition makes me SO excited to witness the new up and coming writers and musicians of Aotearoa. The work that Play It Strange does is so important for our youth - it is a way that we can introduce them into our music industry with the support and guidance they need. There's an enormous amount of talent here and I'm grateful to be able to play a part in spotlighting our talented youth. I have so much hope for the way young artists will positively shape music in our country”.

2025’s four major competition winners included:

Salem Māhia Randall from Tairāwhiti Gisborne (2025 National Songwriting Competition Winner)
Ihaka Whanarere-Tauri from Whanganui (2025 Waiata Māori Competition Winner)
Betty Shen from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (2025 Peace Song Competition winner)
Sienna Fitzgerald from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (2025 Junior Songwriting Competition winner)

Following last year’s success, Play It Strange awarded these winners prizes including recording their singles in a professional studio, mentoring sessions, radio airplay, Artist Development sessions and inclusion on Play It Strange’s digital albums available on all major streaming platforms.

Behind each entry into a Play It Strange competition, there are hundreds of young people finding their voice, building confidence, and feeling empowered to share their creativity with the world.

The small but mighty team of 3 including Stephanie Brown, Evie Bamford and Paige Tapara showcase creativity, passion, and relentless mahi to mirror the work of founder, Mike Chunn and consistently offer the New Zealand Music Industry and its rangatahi countless opportunities to immerse themselves in songwriting, breaking down barriers and welcoming everyone in with open arms.

Mike Chunn has listened to every single Play It Strange submission for 23 years - more than 7200 songs. Mike says: “The volume of entries is increasing, and the quality is extraordinary. It is a joy to witness the evolution of Play It Strange”.

About Play It Strange:
Established in 2003, Play it Strange runs annual national songwriting competitions for high school students, with finalists awarded a day in a recording studio to professionally record their songs. Play It Strange releases these songs on digital albums and provide mentorship and performance opportunities. Their alumni list includes Kimbra, Georgia Nott of Broods, Liz Stokes of The Beths, Frankie Venter, Annah Mac, Louis Baker, CHAII, Luca George, Ratbag and so many more.