Grand Final Gala
The Grand Final Gala with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for the 2026 Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest took place on Saturday 11 July at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington.
It was won by 19 year old countertenor, Samuel Mataele
The six Finalists of the 2026 competition were:
Cecily Shaw
Faamanu Fonoti-Fuimaono
Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono
Samuel Downes
Samuel Mataele
Sarah Mileham
Marking the 70th anniversary of the Song Quest, the legacy continued as the finalists sang it out for the winning title and and a share of $95,500 in prizes before International Head Judge, acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Frederica von Stade.
Image (L-R): 2026 Finalists on stage Cecily Shaw, Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono, Faamanu Fonoti-Fuimaono, Samuel Mataele, Sarah Mileham, Samuel Downes. Photo by Hagen Hopkins.
ABOUT KIRI TE KANAWA SONG QUEST
From its inception in 1956, the Song Quest has become New Zealand opera’s most prestigious singing competition, launching the world-famous opera careers of many talented New Zealanders.
Learn more about the Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest history.