The Greater Christchurch Schools' Network, Christchurch City Council Libraries, and Plains FM are excited to present Top of the Pods, a brand new podcasting competition where teams of ākonga from across greater Christchurch can create and submit their own podcast, learn new skills, and win awesome prizes!
Schools can register teams of up to 12 ākonga aged Years 5 - 10 and from there teams will have until the end of October to create and submit a unique <20 minute podcast about whatever they like; film, food, friends, science, sports, the world's your oyster!
Learn more about the competition here or follow the link below to register a team.
Important dates
Registrations open
Friday 1 September
Registrations close
Sunday 1 October
Submissions open
Sunday 1 October
Submissions close
Tuesday 31 October
Showcase and Prize Giving
Wednesday 8 November, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Open Days During the competition, ākonga will have the opportunity to work directly with people in the industry to learn new podcasting skills, use the Libraries equipment, and create an inspiring narrative. GCSN, Christchurch City Libraries and Plains FM will host two Open Days on Thursday 19 October and Friday 27 October (9:30am - 2:30pm). Please register your interest in attending when completing the registration form.
We have amazing prizes up for grabs!
First prize: One ZOOM PodTrak P4 podcast recorder with two Behringer Ultravoice microphones and leads - a perfect setup for amateur podcasters! Second prize: One two-hour session for up to 12 ākonga at South Library with all the materials to design and print a set of commemorative Top of the Pods tee-shirts. Third prize: Lucky dip Pool passes, books, drink bottles, and more!
To conclude the competition we will be hosting a showcase and prize giving event on Wednesday 8 November (5:30-7:00pm) at TSB Space, Tūranga Library. Ākonga will have an opportunity to share their podcast with friends and whānau, meet the other teams, and hear what the judges thought of their entry.
Our amazing judges are:
Sionainn Byrnes (Libraries Learning Specialist at Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi | Christchurch City Libraries)
Pia Titus (Youth Coordinator at Plains FM 96.9)
Matty Beatty (Host of 'Keep it Camp' on Plains FM)
Gabrielle Wall (General Manager of the Greater Christchurch Schools' Network)