Jazz Major Wins Homai Te Pakipaki Grand Final 2014
Wellington student Lee Stuart took out the top prize at the Grand Final of HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI in Auckland last night,
winning $20,000 and a 2degrees prize package.
The 18-year old wowed the crowd at the ASB Showgrounds with a stunning performance of Bathe in the River by New Zealand
singer Holly Smith.
“It’s pretty awesome and I still can’t believe it,” she says. “It’s been a really exciting experience and everyone has
been so supportive.”
Stuart, who is in her first year of a Bachelor of Music at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington, plans to use
some of the prize money to buy new sound gear.
The Grand Final of the popular live entertainment show featured 11 performers ranging in age from 15 to 70, who
travelled from all over the country to have their turn on the stage, as well as guest acts including Annie Crummer,
Whenua Patuwai and the Geeks.
Second place went to Jan Baker from Tauranga and three piece band Harmony Showdown from Whanganui took out the third
prize.
Producer Erina Tamepo says the changes to the series this year, which lowered the age requirement for performers and
allowed duos and trios to enter, helped boost the show’s grassroots appeal.
She says the addition of regional auditions also gave more people the chance to take part in the show.
“We’ve seen a lot of new talent come through to the Maori Television studio in 2014.”
ENDS