A Dunstan High School rock band is heading to Auckland this year to record its own music after success at the Smokefree Rockquest last year.

The Stolen Rings was place second in the regional event in 2025, and later in the year impressed judges at the Central Sound Waves event in Queenstown.

The band’s original music gained them an 8-hour professional studio recording session at The Recording Room in Queenstown.

They have also had the opportunity to record more of their original songs at one of New Zealand's top recording studios in Auckland later this year. 

The talented group of 16-year-olds competed against 17 other bands in the rock quest in their first ever performance, where they had to perform two fully original songs that they wrote themselves. 

“The band invested countless hours writing lyrics and composing music, proving their dedication and originality,” Jay-t’s mother Tracey Mcfadyen said.

She said the boys were driven by a genuine passion for music, and dedicated themselves to practicing 2–3 times a week outside of school, continually pushing their creativity and performance skills.

They also played several local gigs during 2025 and will continue to raise their profile again this year.

Tracey said the trip to Auckland to record their own music marks an exciting step forward in their musical journey as they work towards sharing their sound with a wider audience.

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