Students' human rights song a winner

Human rights were given a harmonious voice with eight acts spreading messages of love and peace at a Freedom Fest final in Napier yesterday.

The secondary school competition drew a 100-strong crowd, with all entry fees donated to Amnesty International, host for the singer/songwriter competition.

Event co-ordinator Deb Bradley said while there were fewer entrants than last year, the quality was excellent. "There was a brilliant atmosphere with great support. We were thrilled, the topics covered a wide range, with pretty much all human rights issues aired across the board," she said.

Winning act Midnight Revelation from Napier Girls' High School impressed with their song Fading, about family violence issues which face everyday New Zealanders.

In second place were the only male act of the evening, Laird Kruger and Samuel Gibson from Napier Boys' High School, with Hide and Seek covering the topics of domestic violence and child abuse.

As well as the student musicians, there were performances by the winner and runner-up of the 2010 event, Amy Barnard and Maisie Thursfield, as well as an appearance by Paradise People, the duo of Madeline Bradley and Eilish Treadway, who took out the Ian Morris Tribute Award for best-written song at City Showcase.