South Waikato Awards

10/06/2026

ALL SONGS (Except Waiata Māori) ARE TO BE OF COUNTRY ORIGIN AS AT THEIR FIRST RELEASE DATE.

e.g. Blue Smoke was covered by Eddie Low but it's original genre at its first release is NZ Folk Song, so it is not acceptable as a NZ Song or a solo song.

Another song is Landslide. Covered by the Dixie Chicks - it was written and recorded by Fleetwood Mac as a folk-rock ballad song so it's not country.

To find out if a song is country - type in the title of song and ask for genre e.g. landslide song genre and it will let you know it's genre.

I'm also happy to help if you are unsure.

Thanks
Leeanne

09/06/2026

Closing Dates Extended:
Songwriters extended to the 19th June and other entries to the 28th June.

I'll be in Temuka celebrating a special granddaughters 5th birthday from the 12th to the 15th June.

Where are our songwriters at???

Only two entries received so far???

I have fantastic judges hanging out to hear your music - get them in - entries close Monday 15th June.

06/06/2026

Where are our songwriters at???

Only two entries received so far???

I have fantastic judges hanging out to hear your music - get them in - entries close Monday 15th June.

06/06/2026

Once again Richard Leech from Countrywide Real Estate is sponsoring the South Waikato Awards for the 3rd year in a row.

Thank you Richard for your continuing support for the awards.

04/06/2026

Thank you again to Le Pine & Co for their sponsorship for the awards for the 3rd year in a row.

Local support means so much and sponsorship helps to run another successful awards weekend.

Thank you to Le Pine & Co for the sponsorship for the 2nd year in a row for the South Waikato Awards.
Much appreciated sponsorship

03/06/2026

Thank you Wendy and Alf Godsmark for their sponsorship for the South Waikato Awards.

Such great supporters of country music 🎶 🎵 👌

02/06/2026

Thank you to John De Burgh for his generous sponsorship towards the South Waikato Awards.

Very much appreciated 👏 💐

17/05/2026

There will be a tiny tots section. So get those little stars organised. They won't be singing in the finals due to time constraints but will be presented with trophies etc at the finals.

Love encouraging our future country music stars 🌟 🤩 ✨️

Ages = 7 years and under

17/05/2026

And our emcee for the finals show is Lesley Nia Nia.

Lesley will keep the show flowing along and I'm sure she'll keep you entertained as well.

Thank you for your support Lesley for the awards weekend x

17/05/2026

The photographers for the weekend are Roseanne Elizabeth Fletcher and Gordon Fletcher . These guys take lovely photos and I'm sure our entrants will be delighted with the pictures.

Thank you guys xx