Judges tip teen singer for great things

Late Night Meat Sandwich, Bill Dawson (left), Rhys Johnston and Chris Fouhy. Photo / Peter De Graaf

A Kerikeri 13-year-old who judges said had the best voice in the competition has won this year's Mid North talent quest.

Alyssa Graham took out the top prize in Sunday's contest, which was part of the ninth annual Be Free family day on Kerikeri Domain.

Lost for Words with Sophia Houben, 13, Jamie Hardcastle, 16, and Bryce Pattinson, 18.

The judges said Alyssa had an amazing future to look forward to given she was just 13 years old.

Other performers at the day-long free concert included blues/rock band Late Night Meat Sandwich, Battle of the Bands winner Strangely Arousing, young thrash metal band Alien Weaponry from Waipu, and past talent quest winners Zoe King-Samuels, of Moerewa, and Te Rina Kahle, of Waitaruke.

Former Labour leader David Cunliffe, seen here with Northland candidate Willow-Jean Prime, was a surprise visitor at the festival.

While the size of the crowd may have been disappointing it did include a few well-known faces such as former Labour leader David Cunliffe, who was accompanying Willow-Jean Prime on the campaign trail.

Most of the contestants were part of the Be Free music and life-skills mentoring programme. Be Free was founded by former drug user Tony Harrison to support others fighting drug and alcohol addiction.

-Talent quest results: 1 Alyssa Graham; 2 Danielle Hookway and Reuben Topzand; 3 Lost for Words (Sophia Houben, Jamie Hardcastle, Bryce Pattinson, Alex and Cameron Dudley); 4 Tamati Te Wai and Rawiri Webb. Dance winner: Rosey Robb.