New Zealand’s The Song Quest has announced that the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation will become its Principal Naming Rights Partner. As such, beginning in 2026, the competition will be known as the Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest.

Formerly known as the Mobil Song Quest and later the Lexus Song Quest, the competition was founded in 1956 and has provided opportunities for such artists as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Dame Malvina Major, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Phillip Rhodes, Jonathan Lemalu, Madeleine Pierard, Amitai Pati, and Benson Wilson.

“This is a huge and exciting personal honor,” said Te Kanawa in an official press release. “The Song Quest is a New Zealand icon—an institution that has been the catalyst for so many outstanding careers, including my own. My Foundation’s support ensures that the same opportunities I was given will continue to be available to the cream of our young singers.”

The Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest is set to open for entries in December 2025 with semi-finalists set to be announced in April 2026 and the Grand Final Gala set for July 11, 2026.

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