Bass guitarist Harmony Oto (12), drummer Hannah Mather (11), keyboard player Aimee Jenkins (12), and lead singer Paige Boyle (13) were yesterday somewhat surprised but ''proud'' of their success.
They praised teacher Hiliako Iaheto for his help.
The musical group also won a $400 credit for their school, from competition sponsor The Rockshop, a national chain of musical instrument retail stores.
Paige and Hannah have both competed in the contest for three years, and their fellow group members have competed twice.
Paige said that good teamwork and experience had helped in the win, and she had felt confident they could perform well.
Tawhaki is a Maori supernatural being, associated with thunder and lightning.
The Dunedin group has qualified to compete in an online national final for Bandquest, the results of which will be announced late next month.
Fourteen Dunedin and Otago bands competed in the Otago regional finals of the Rockshop Bandquest before an appreciative crowd of about 300 at the King's and Queen's High School Performing Arts Centre, Dunedin, on Tuesday evening.
Bandquest is a nationwide music contest for intermediate and primary pupils. It is in its eighth year as a talent feeder for Smokefreerockquest.
Other regional award winners: 2nd, $200 credit with The Rockshop, for their school, Bel Suono, Dunedin North Intermediate (DNI); 3, $100 credit for their school, Fernando, Tahuna Normal Intermediate; best original song, $100 for their school, Death Disease, Taieri College; best vocalists, Bel Suono, DNI, and Fernando, Tahuna Normal; musicianship award, TAS Band, Bathgate Park School; rockstar styles award, Kia Maia, DNI; ''killer'' guitarist, Henry Chafer and Rylan Urquhart, amplified, John McGlashan College; rock-solid bassist, Sophie Clough, Noyze Bomb, Taieri College; rocking drummer, Rion McFadgen, Rolling Thunder, Kaikorai Valley College; best keyboardist, Elizabeth Amaramo Taumaoe and Sofia Silan, TAS Band, Bathgate Park.
