Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest - Grand Final Gala

The Grand Final Gala with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for the 2026 Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest will take place on Saturday 11 July at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington. The six Finalists of the 2026 competition are: Cecily Shaw Faamanu Fonoti-Fuimaono Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono Samuel Downes Samuel Mataele Sarah Mileham Marking the 70th anniversary of the Song Quest, the legacy continues as the finalists sing 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. 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.