Where a competitor withdraws due to exceptional circumstances within 14 days of entry, the entry fee will be refunded excluding the administration fee.

After 14 days, a 50% refund of the entry fee (excluding the administration fee) will be provided.

A refund will not be provided in respect of a competitor choosing not to compete for any reason, including but not limited to a decision made not to compete due to Covid 19 circumstances (directly or indirectly). This includes whether or not the competitor has tested positive for Covid and/or is just a household contact

​Should NZDA be unable to proceed due to restrictions under our current planned dates then the event will be postponed and your entry will automatically be transferred across to the new dates and confirmed.

Registrations are via our online partnership with WE Developments APP. Through the APP you will be able to create your profile if you haven’t got one already and preload the dancers that you want to enter to make your entries easier when the portal opens up. The APP is your place to enter Solos, Duos, Trios and Groups.

Registrations are open to all to enter however only the studio owner or designated studio contact can submit the groups.

The APP will collect all your contact information followed by your competition selections. Once this is complete you will be able to pay via credit/debit card in which your registration will be complete.

Payments MUST be made at time of entry to confirm your place. This will occur through a secure payment portal via STRIPE.

Registrations close when full. All entry’s must be submitted through the APP. Entries are strictly limited and as such once the limit has been reached a waitlist will be generated.

NZ Dance Awards is only open to amateurs, meaning one whose income is not derived mainly from performing and/or teaching dance.

​​Any competitor that has been taught (excluding master classes or workshops) during the past 2 years by any of our official adjudicators, may NOT be eligible to compete.

​If an issue is noted it must be brought to the attention of the Convener immediately and can be dealt with accordingly. Their decision is final and no discussion will be entered into after a decision has been made.

​All performances MUST be geared to family viewing.

Competitors must dance in the order stated in the festival program. Any changes due to costuming will be authorised at the discretion of the announcer who may put a hold on that item for an appropriate duration.

Competitors must dance in the order drawn for Regional Top Dancers!

All ages are taken as at 1st January for the year you are competing in.

Tiny Stars*  – Under 6 years
Minis – Under 6 years
Petite – 7 – 8 years
Junior – 9 – 11 years
Intermediate – 12 – 14 years
Senior – 15 -years & over

All solosists will perform in their own age group i.e. 9yrs, 10yrs, 11yrs etcc. This may be amalgamated if there are low numbers.

All duos, trios & groups will be averaged by age as of 1 January 2026.

*Tiny Stars is an under 6 years display class. Competitors in this class cannot compete in solo sections.

DanceVision.TV are the official Videographers for the Finals. All routines are reorded and can be purchased at the event or afterwards online.

Mark Grammer Photography are the official Photographers for Finals. PRE – BOOKING is essential as they only capture what has been booked.

You can pre purchase your photos once the Official Program has been released.

Under NO circumstances are there to be any photo’s or videos to be taken in any of the dressing or changing rooms.

Photos taken by NZ Dance Awards or our official photographers during the event may be used for promotional purposes.

2.00min – NZ Top Dancer Qualifier Round
2.30min – Solos – Under 12 years excl. Song & Dance
3.00min – Solos – 12 years & over excl. Song & Dance
3.00min – Duo’s/Trio’s – All ages excl. Song & Dance
4.00min – Song & Dance Solo’s, Song & Dance Duo’s/Trio’s
4.00min – All Groups, including Song & Dance & Mega Troupe
​8.00min – Broadway Cup

All Music must be uploaded to your NZDA competition APP. You will have access to this once your event has been scheduled and you have been advised it is ready.

All Music MUST be uploaded no later than 7 days prior to nationals commencing.

Please have a backup of your Music on a device on your person at the event.

Music found to be over time WILL be docked 5 marks. Music will be faded at the time limit to prevent NZDA running off schedule. Please make sure your music is compliant with the time limits.

Competitors may NOT repeat a routine in ANY section.

Tap Solo – Tap Solo, Slow/Waltz Tap, Speed Tap

Jazz Solo – Jazz, Musical Theatre Jazz, Lyrical

Ballet Solo – Classical Ballet, Neo-Classical, Variation, Contemporary

Other Solo – Hip Hop, Song & Dance

Tiny Stars – Under 6 display

Mixed ability – any age

Duo, Trio & Groups – Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, Hip Hop, Song & Dance, Mega Troupe, Broadway Cup.

Competitors may not repeat a routine in any section.

Tap Scholarships

Petite Tap Scholarship 7-8 Years – Tap Solo, Speed Tap

Junior Tap Scholarship 9-11 Years – Tap Solo, Speed Tap, Own Selection (Slow or Waltz)

Intermediate Tap Scholarship 12-14 Years – Tap Solo, Speed Tap, Own Selection (Slow or Waltz), Impromptu Workshop

Senior Tap Scholarship 15+ Years – Tap Solo, Speed Tap, Own Selection (Slow or Waltz), Impromptu Workshop

Jazz Scholarships

Petite Jazz Scholarship 7-8 Years – Jazz Solo, Lyrical

Junior Jazz Scholarship 9-11 Years – Jazz Solo, Musical Theatre Jazz, Own Selection (Lyrical or Contemporary)

Intermediate Jazz Scholarship 12-14 Years – Jazz Solo, Musical Theatre Jazz, Own Selection (Lyrical or Contemporary), Impromptu Workshop

Senior Jazz Scholarship 15+ Years – Jazz Solo, Musical Theatre Jazz, Own Selection (Lyrical or contemporary), Impromptu Workshop

Hip Hop Scholarships

Petite Hip Hop Scholarship 7-8 Years – Hip Hop Solo, Hip Hop Freestyle

Junior Hip Hop Scholarship 9-11 Years – Hip Hop Solo, Hip Hop Freestyle

Intermediate Hip Hop Scholarship 12-14 Years – Hip Hop Solo, Hip Hop Freestyle, Hip Hop Workshop

Senior Hip Hop Scholarship 15+ Years – Hip Hop Solo, Hip Hop Freestyle, Hip Hop Workshop

Ballet Scholarships

Junior Scholarship – Classical Ballet & Own Selection (Contemporary or Neo-classical)

Intermediate Scholarship – Set Variation en demi-pointe & Own Choice Variation en demi-pointe & Contemporary & Ballet Workshop

Senior Scholarship – Set Variation pointe optional & Own Choice Variation pointe optional & Contemporary & Ballet Workshop

All Scholarship marks will come from the averaged marks given in each competed scholarship class. To Enter Scholarship you must have qualified in TWO dances at a regional event in a given discipline (Excluding Hip Hop) .

Those wanting to register for NZ Top Dancer MUST also be competing in a relevant scholarship class.

Groups will be averaged by age as of 1 January 2026.

Groups – Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Ballet, Contemporary, Song & Dance, Mega Troupe & Broadway Cup.

Tap Solo – Routine must contain tap technique and primarily tap work. It is preferred that tap sounds are not pre-recorded in the music. Can be any style.

Speed Tap – Routine must contain tap technique choreographed to fast tempo music.

Own Selection Tap –Routine must contain tap technique choreographed to slow tempo music OR routine must contain tap technique choreographed to a 3/4 or 6/8 time signature. MUST be a SLOW or a WALTZ.

Slow/Waltz Tap –Routine must contain tap technique choreographed to slow tempo music OR Routine must contain tap technique choreographed to a 3/4 or 6/8 time signature.

Jazz Solo –A routine using jazz technique, with such moves as kicks, splits, isolations etc. Cannot contain more than 8 acro tricks, acro tricks do not substitute for technique or choreography and generally will need to relate to the routines jazz element and not just there to fill in the gaps

Musical Theatre Jazz – A routine that interprets a song from a musical or musical theatre piece and shows connection to the intent of the lyrics. Lip syncing is not advised.

Own Selection Jazz – Routine should demonstrate balance, extension, isolations and control utilising the lyrics or mood of the music OR utilise contemporary style to show extension, balance and control to interpret the music or theme. Acrobatic/gymnastic tricks should be kept to a minimum MUST be a LYRICAL or a CONTEMPORARY.

Lyrical – Routine should demonstrate balance, extension, isolations and control utilising the lyrics or mood of the music. Acrobatic/gymnastic tricks should be kept to a minimum.

Classical Ballet (Under 12) – This must be original choreography and not a variation from a classical repertoire.

Neo-Classical (Under 12) – A fusion of technical classical ballet and expressive movement with contemporary influences.

Set Variation – Set Variation MUST be performed from the Set Variation list provided.  Junior & Intermediate competitors must perform en demi-pointe. Senior competitors pointe (optional)

Variation – 2nd Variation from any recognised classical repertoire which MAY or MAY not be from Set Variation list.
The selection, however, MUST show a clear contrast in style to the variation selected from the Set Variation.  Junior & Intermediate competitors must perform en demi-pointe  Senior competitors pointe (optional).

Hip Hop – A routine that utilises Hip Hop technique.

Free Style – Improvised Choreography in a Hip Hop Style

Song and Dance – Routine must contain singing and any style of dance. No lead vocals or competitor vocals are allowed in the music in the singing section of the routine.

Mixed Ability Solo – This category is for non abled competitors. You may perform any style of dance. For those who are unable to compete in other classes.

Mega Troupe – 20 + competitors onstage at ALL times. Can be a Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop or Tap.

Broadway Cup – An abridged version of a musical that may or may not have live singing.

Set Variation List – Intermediate

Female Set Variation List
Kirov version – Peasant Pas 2nd solo – Giselle Act l
Peasant Pas 2nd solo – Giselle Act l
Cupid – Don Quixote or Paquita Act lll
Flower Festival Girl’s Solo – Flower Festival in Genzano
2nd Shade Variation – La Bayadere
Florestan/Jewels 1st solo – Sleeping Beauty Act lll
2nd Variation Tempo di Valse – Paquita
Napoli – Napoli Act lll
Fairy Doll – Die Puppenfree

Male Set Variation List
Peasant Pas 2nd Solo – Giselle Act l
Flower Festival 1st Solo – Flower Festival in Genzano
Nutcracker Prince – Nutcracker Act ll
Santanella ‘Count Fabio’ – Carnival of Venice pas de Deux
Peasant Pas 1st Solo – Giselle Act l
Harlequinade
Jean de Brienne Solo – Raymonda Act lll

Set Variation List – Senior

Female Set Variation List
Kitri’s Wedding – Don Quixote Act III
Aurora’s Wedding – Sleeping Beauty Act III
Lilac Fairy – Sleeping Beauty Prologue
Odile – Swan Lake Act III
Prelude – Les Sylphides
Gamzatti – La Bayadere
Medora
Giselle’s solo – Giselle Act I
1st Shade – La Bayadere Act III
Pas de Trois 1st Solo – Swan Lake Act l

Male Set Variation List
Siegfried – Swan Lake Act III
Desire – Sleeping Beauty Act III
Harlequin – Harlequinade
Bluebird – Sleeping Beauty Act III
Basil – Don Quixote
James – La Sylphide Act I
Colas – La Fille Mal Gardee (Gorsky version)
Albrecht – Giselle Act II
Slave’s variation – Le Corsaire

Leaving the Stage – If the Competitor has been marked by the adjudicators then they shall keep the marks given less a 5 point deduction. Should a competitor suffer a technical or costume malfunction then the dancer will be invited to perform again.
​
Prompting – Strictly NO PROMPTING, excluding Tiny Stars.

​Backstage – Persons, including parents, are not permitted back stage unless placing props. Please note: Teachers will be allowed backstage (excluding NZ’s Top Dancer!) However, you must not prompt.

Competitors must be back stage no more than 2 items before their act. It is the competitor’s responsibility to be ready to dance as we do not have a marshall.

Competitors, Parents and Teachers while backstage for official reasons are under the control of the Stage Manager. In the instance that the Stage Manager is not there then this will fall to the Announcer. Please respect the request of the Stage Manager and/or the Announcer.

Strictly NO VIDEOING of routines from side stage.

Dancers must be present at Results Presentations to receive their Awards.

Awards will not be given out to those who have missed the presentation

​Prize monies awarded are subject to sponsorship and donations. NZDA reserves the right to alter or amend any prize monies awarded in any class.

All dancers receive an award ribbon based on their score.
Elite Gold – 97-100
High Gold – 95-96.9
Gold – 90-94.9
High Silver – 85-89.9
Silver – 80-84.9
Merit – 50-79.9

Solo’s 8 Years & Under ONLY

​Dancers must receive a score of 80% or higher in at least one routine in a given discipline to be eligible to enter finals.

Scholarship 7 Years & Over

Dancers wishing to enter the NZDA finals over the age of 8 must be must receive be registered for  Scholarship for Nationals.  You must have a score of 80% or higher in at least TWO routines in a given dance discipline (excluding Hip Hop) at a regional event. You will still compete in classes with individual winners for each class competed for (i.e. Tap Solo 12 yrs, Own Selection 14yrs, Hip Hop 13yrs).

Musical Theatre Award.
In order to enter the Musical Theatre Award at Finals a performer must compete and qualify in a song and dance in a musical theatre style At any regional receiving a mark of 80% or higher.

Duos & Trios
​Dancers must receive a score of 80% or higher in at least one routine in a given dance style to be eligible to enter finals. This can be through a solo or a Team.

Groups
​Groups must receive a score of 80% or higher in a given DANCE STYLE to be eligible to enter finals. Studios entering more than one group at finals will only need to qualify one group item at regionals per dance style regardless of age categories.
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NZ Top Dancer
All dancers in this event will perform a solo dance of any style (Tap Solo, Speed Tap, Jazz Solo, Hip Hop, Contemporary etc) Excl. Ballet & Song & Dance.

This must NOT be a repeat dance.

Competitors have a maximum of 2.30 minutes for under 12, and 3 minutes for 12 and over for the qualification process.

Dancers will require a score of 92% or higher to qualify for finals and MUST be Registered in a scholarship section at finals.

Dancers must be competing in at least 2 solo routines to enter Regional Top Dancer!

​All competitors wishing to enter National Finals in 2025 must qualify at one of our regionals. If you live outside of NZ and wish to be considered for national finals please contact us for qualifying information.