Westlake Girls students Hollie Blackwell, Piper Donaldson and Paula Quiambao have been named finalists in the Lion Foundation Songwriting Competition, earning each of them the opportunity to record and master an original song in a professional studio.
The competition is the largest event on the Play It Strange calendar, attracting submissions from young songwriters throughout New Zealand and featuring judges including acclaimed musicians Bret McKenzie and Gin Wigmore, and Play It Strange founder Mike Chunn.
Hollie, Year 13, was selected for her song Ghosts, while Year 12 students Piper and Paula were recognised for What’s This For and Next to You respectively.
All three songs were created through Westlake’s Contemporary Music programme, taught by music teacher Jono Howan. Having three students selected from a large national field is an outstanding achievement and reflects the strength of emerging songwriting talent at Westlake.
As finalists, Hollie, Piper and Paula will each spend a full day in a professional recording studio, where industry specialists will record and master their work. The finished tracks will feature on the Play It Strange album later this year, giving the students valuable experience taking an original song from composition through to a professionally produced release. Each songwriter retains full ownership and rights to their work.
This is Hollie and Paula’s second Play It Strange success of 2026, with both students also selected as finalists in the Peace Song Competition earlier this year.
We look forward to hearing all three finished tracks when they are released.
