Students could set their performances in any context, period or place as long as the "essence and the integrity of Shakespeare's play is retained", the rule book says.
Hato Paora College and Mana Tamariki set Henry V in a bilingual, bicultural work with English King Henry V and a Maori chief conveying the "inter-cultural transportability of the concept of valour".
Instead of ta moko, the students painted St George's rampant lion on their bodies.
Assessing the pieces was David Lawrence, a director, actor and musician who has directed 20 Shakespeare works and last year was the International Acting Fellow at The Globe in London. Mr Lawrence told the Chronicle yesterday Shakespeare would be happy with the way his plays were performed.
"I thought they were of a high standard, heartfelt, intelligent and honest, from the simple to complicated and unusual.
"What you often find in the regions is there are five or 10 pieces that could go to the national festival."
Mr Lawrence said every artistic base was satisfied, and the music, physicality and understanding of text was exemplary. He held Wanganui Girls' College as an example where all their Romeo and Juliet pieces took a different angle.
"Their pieces were unique," Mr Lawrence said of their online dating profiles, text speak and fight sequence with keyboards.
Wanganui Collegiate drama teacher Paul Collins, who has organised the regional festival for the past four years, said the level of quality was increasing every year.
Additional awards: The Gat Shack award for best use of music went to Hato Paora-Mana Tamariki; Whitcoulls Wanganui award for best delivery of text - Richard Pearson, Wanganui Collegiate; Suit Hire award for best male costume - Amy Atkins, Awatapu College; Etcetera Fashion award for best female costume - Zsofia Hermann, Wanganui Collegiate, in her Amdram costume. The national Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival will be held in Wellington from May 30-June 2.