The 2025 NZAASouth Pacific Accordion Championships & Festival was held at the superb Raye Freedman Arts Centre (picture below), Silver Rd, Epsom, Auckland on 30 May and 1st June.

Young Talent Shines at the International Competitions

The 2025 South Pacific and New Zealand Accordion Championships and Festival proved to be a resounding success and showcased the extraordinary talent of young accordionists from across the country and the Pacific region. Held over a vibrant weekend of music and celebration.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the festival was the exceptional standard of performances from young competitors. Audiences were thrilled to see this generation of accordionists take to the stage with confidence, musicality, and technical excellence. The young musicians impressed adjudicators and audiences alike with their dedication and artistry.

The weekend was more than just a competition – it was a celebration of community, culture, and the enduring charm of the accordion.

Congratulations to all the participants, families, teachers, and organisers who made the 2025 NZAA event such a memorable and uplifting experience.

The 2025 South Pacific Accordion Champion is Andre Samatoi (New Zealand), Rachael Xu (China) is the 2025 South Pacific Junior Virtuoso Champion and 15 years and under Champion, Reina Lin (New Zealand) won the NZ Open Solo Championship 18 years and under.

2025 South Pacific and New Zealand Accordion Championships Results

About the International Music Council.
IMC is the world’s largest network of music organisations and institutions, founded by UNESCO and dedicated to the advancement of essential music rights for all people.

Saturday Afternoon

Professional Video Recording On Stage 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Thank you to NZAA committee member Tamba Carleton for the following information about Saturday afternoon activities.

The videographer arrived early in the lunch break to set up. In the seating stands a labyrinth of cables tangled around a massive video camera next to a laptop computer on a stand, while on stage multiple microphones and video cameras were carefully positioned to capture multiple visual angles and premium sound quality.

To kick things off, the project commissioner Maurice Jones, fresh off recovery from a bad flu, performed melodies that he is well known for both personally and as Starlight Duo alongside Lionel Reekie. For recording purposes, songs were performed more than once and on the odd occasion mulliganed soon after commencing.

Despite not being a traditional concert, Maurices hour long performance was extremely well received by the audience who thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment. The second person to take the opportunity of recording their musicianship was NZAA committee member and competitions compere Stephen Cope. Swapping his toolbelt for his accordion, Stephen performed to the videographer and audience several songs including tunes that he is known for playing at local pubs.

After Stephen was competitor Rachael Xu from China. The experience for her was less about a historical recording of her astounding teenage talent but more a growth exercise in stage presence. By the end of her recording session, Rachael was undeniably performing to the video camera, rather than in front of it.

Local competitor Andre Samotoi was next, performing a selection of his competition pieces to the delight of the audience. Finally, Notable Soundz band member Martin Meyer recorded two pieces that had been arranged by former Auckland accordion teacher Ken Talbot.

Thank you to Maurice Jones for organising the recording session, to the performers who took the opportunity to record, and finally to the audience who had been receptive yet also wonderfully quiet when the recordings were underway.  

Videos from this Professional Video Recording will be published on the Accordions Worldwide youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@MusicForAccordion next month.

Sunday Afternoon

Finale Concert, 2:30 pm. The competitions culminated in a joyful Sunday afternoon concert, featuring the New Zealand Accordion Orchestra conducted by Lian Jones plus performances by the 2025 South Pacific Accordion Championship winners.

Sunday Evening

The Farewell Dinner was held at Aubergine Restaurant in Takapuna and those attending enjoyed superb entertainment by Maurice and Alanah Jones, Stephen Cope.