Wanganui High School took out first place in the ASB 2012 Stage Challenge at the Regent Theatre in Palmerston North on Monday night.
High School Performing Arts co-ordinator Jeanette Jones said everyone was thrilled.
"We are just blown away ... it's a great, great feeling."
Their performance of Where There's Smoke there's Fire was described by judge Del Costello as strong, passionate and exhilarating, with event manager Gemma Parry describing the piece as a fantastic and dynamic display of costuming and design.
High School's winning piece explored the 1947 Ballantyne's Department Store fire in Christchurch which claimed 41 lives.