Carmina, from Logan Park High School, is a four-piece band consisting of vocalist/guitarist Barney Connolly, Jack Wing on electric guitar, Benny Holloway on drums and Bjorn Bargemann on bass guitar.
The second-place winner was also from Logan Park. Painted Blind's line-up was Cuba Rust on guitar, Neive Strang on vocals, Rikke Kikkawa-McLeod on violin and Mary Locker on keyboards.
Smokefree founder and director Pete Rainey said that from here on, the Otago finalists would have to be well organised and work hard to make the most of the opportunity Smokefreerockquest offered.
The top two bands won musical gear from associate sponsor NZ Rockshops and its suppliers.
The bands will next submit 15 minutes of their best material for selection as national finalists, as will Josh Glennie, from Taieri College, and Ashlee Maxwell, from Taieri College, who placed first and second in the Otago solo-duo section announced at the regional heats earlier this month.
''This process not only demands musical ability and creativity, they also learn to work together as a group and to develop the organisation and promotional skills they'll need if they're going to make it on the Kiwi music scene,'' Mr Rainey said in a statement.
Full list of awards:
Band: Carmina, Logan Park High School, 1; Painted Blind, Logan Park High School, 2; Sun Animals, Otago Boys' High School, 3.
Solo/duo: Josh Glennie, Taieri College, 1; Ashlee Maxwell, Taieri College, 2.
Apra lyric writers award: Painted Blind, Logan Park High School.
Lowdown best song: Second Song, Somewhere In Between, Taieri College.
Mainz musicianship award: Thomas Sharp, lead guitar, from Sun Animals, Otago Boys' High School.
Smokefree vocals award: Neive Strang, Painted Blind, Logan Park High School.
People's choice: No Vacancy, Taieri College.
