1. A person is eligible to enter the Competition, and may enter the Competition, only if that person at the time of entry submission: 

a) is a full-time Intermediate or Secondary student and 

b) is a New Zealand citizen, New Zealand permanent resident, or a student enrolled in a recognised New Zealand school for two or more consecutive years; and 

c) is not a previous first (1st) prize winner of any previous National Junior Piano Competition.

2. Competition entry and submission deadlines will be notified via the CLEF.nz website. All applications must be received by 5pm NZST on the Closing Date. Late applications will not be accepted. 

3. To enter the Competition, each applicant must, before 5 PM NZST on the Closing Date, submit online, as per the instructions on the CLEF website, the following: 

a) a completed entry form; and 

b) a set of application documents including: a biography (no more than 100 words), a headshot photograph (high resolution, minimum 300dpi), Competition repertoire list (as detailed in section 17), and relevant ID to provide evidence of age and eligibility (such as a passport page); and 

c) a video audition, 15-20 minutes in duration and comprised of a programme of the applicant’s choice. The video audition must: be recorded live, use a single camera angle, show the applicants’ face and hands clearly throughout, and be unedited, although the audition may be recorded over different recording sessions if the applicant wishes. 

4. The Competition application fee of $90 must also be paid on or before the Closing Date. 

5. The selection of up to 16 semi-finalist competitors will be made by an independent professional pianist after assessment of the audition video. The decision of the independent adjudicator is final and beyond appeal. 

6. Applicants will be notified of the audition outcome as per the date advertised on the CLEF website. 

7. A Competitor Acceptance Fee of $90 for semi-finalists must be paid within 5 working days of notification. 

8. The Competition consists of a Semi-final round and a Final round.

9. All semi-finalists will perform a 20-minute recital with a programme of their choice. The programme must comply with the guidelines outlined in section 18.

10. Once all semi-finalists have presented their recitals, six competitors will be chosen to compete in the Competition Final.

11. Competition results will be announced at the conclusion of the Final.

12. All adjudication decisions are final and beyond appeal.

13. The order of performance for all Competition rounds will be determined by ballot.

14. Performers must not exceed the maximum timing specified for performances. Time limits will be strictly observed. Performers exceeding the time limit may have their performance interrupted or stopped.

15. Performers who are unable to perform when requested to do so by CLEF may be disqualified from the Competition. In the case of illness or accident certified by an independent medical practitioner, CLEF may, at its discretion, allow a semi-finalist to reschedule their performance.

16. Applicants may select repertoire of their own choosing, with no restrictions, for the video audition. 

17. Repertoire for the Semi-finals and Final must conform to the following: 

a) Competitors will perform a 20-minute recital programme of their choice. 

b) At least three musical periods must be included in the programme. Each competitor must include a movement of a classical sonata (or equivalent) by Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Clementi or Schubert, and a work by a New Zealand composer. 

c) A complete list of intended repertoire is required with full titles (including K, L, and Op. numbers) and accurate playing times. Repeats may be taken at the discretion of the performer. 

d) No repertoire involving prepared piano work will be accepted. 

18. No changes to the programme are permitted after 31 October 2023. 

19. Those selected for the Competition Final will present the same programme as performed in the Semi final round. 

20. The following prizes may be awarded: 

a) First Prize: NZ$2,000 

b) Second Prize: NZ$1,000 

c) Third Prize: NZ$500 

d) Other Finalists: NZ$200 

e) Best Performance of a Classical Sonata: NZ$500 

f) Best Performance of a New Zealand Composition: NZ$250  

21. No Prize may be transferred, exchanged, or redeemed for cash, credit, or otherwise. The Prizes consist solely of the items identified in these Rules and Regulations. Any expenses and taxes related to the Prizes are the sole responsibility of those awarded such Prize, and such persons should seek independent tax advice prior to claiming a Prize. 

22. All competitors will receive two (2) complimentary tickets for the semi-finals. 

23. All finalists will receive two (2) complimentary tickets to the finals. 

24. Competitors are responsible for their own travel to and from Auckland, and any accommodation needs. In cases of hardship, applications for assistance may be considered. 

25. All decisions made by CLEF (or its representatives including the judge or panel of judges) including, without limitation, decisions regarding the eligibility of entries, the conduct of the Competition, the interpretation of these Rules and Regulations, the selection of Prize winners (including the selection of Semi-finalists), will be final and incontestable. No correspondence will be entered into. To the maximum extent permitted by law: 

a) no decisions of CLEF may be challenged on any grounds, including (without limitation) due to any alleged or actual failure of CLEF or the judge or judges to act reasonably, in good faith, or fairly; and 

b) the decisions of CLEF will remain binding and final even if those decisions are challenged on any ground that they are wrong for any reason.  

26. CLEF reserves the right at any time to: cancel this Competition; supplement or change any condition of this Competition; substitute any Prize (due to unavailability or for any other reason) with a different Prize of equal or greater monetary value; consider or not consider any late application; waive any irregularity or informality in the Competition or any application; change any Competition date.  

27. Any intellectual property resulting from and related to the Competition becomes and remain the property of CLEF. This includes but is not limited to all intellectual property and any other rights to and in any recordings, photography, videography and/or broadcasts/transmissions (live, delayed or future), in all formats, nationally and internationally, taken or recorded at any time during the Competition including all Competition rounds and concerts. Each applicant hereby agrees to waive all moral rights in such items to the fullest extent permitted by law. The applicants shall have no claim to compensation. 

28. By entering this Competition, each applicant consents to their name, image, photograph, performance, interview, and likeness being photographed, recorded, reproduced, broadcast, published, communicated and otherwise used by CLEF (including on behalf of CLEF) for publicity, advertising, and promotional purposes (or any other purpose deemed appropriate by CLEF) through any media, including video recording, video or audio podcast, the internet, live stream, YouTube, printed or electronic materials, radio, television, or any other channel or medium deemed appropriate by CLEF (‘CLEF Publications’), anywhere throughout the world in perpetuity and without the need for any reward or compensation, unless otherwise agreed between the parties. Any commercial advertisement will be offered and negotiated separately. 

29. Each applicant acknowledges that they have no right to any input in relation to CLEF Publications. CLEF has no obligation to consider the applicant’s requests regarding CLEF Publications and all CLEF decisions, including, but not limited to, the removal or alteration of any CLEF Publications, are at CLEF’s sole discretion and are final. Accordingly, no correspondence will be entered into.  

30. Personal information provided by each applicant may be stored and used by CLEF: (a) for the purposes of conducting the Competition; and (b) for additional purposes associated with the Competition or CLEF’s business (such as research, promotion, or marketing activities to provide applicants with information and promotional material about goods or services). An applicant may request access to, or correction of, personal information held by CLEF about that applicant by writing to CLEF. Personal information will not otherwise be used or disclosed by CLEF, except as required or permitted by the New Zealand Privacy Act 1993 or other applicable laws.  

31. Neither CLEF nor any applicant shall be liable for any delay in meeting, or failing to meet, its obligations under these Rules and Regulations to extent that such delay or failure is caused by any event outside its reasonable control, including but not limited to unforeseen serious personal illness or accident, or national calamity (‘Force Majeure Event’). If either CLEF or the applicant is prevented from meeting its obligations under these Rules and Regulations due to a Force Majeure Event, it must notify the other party and resume performance of its obligations as soon as it is able to do so, unless otherwise agreed between CLEF and the applicant. 

32. To the maximum extent permitted by law, CLEF (and its subsidiaries, related companies, associated entities, employees, contractors and agents) disclaim all guarantees, warranties, and representations of any kind (whether express, implied or statutory) in respect of this Competition, any Prize, and the claiming and use of any Prize. 

33. If an applicant breaches any of these Rules and Regulations CLEF may disqualify that applicant from the Competition and any Prize may be withheld or withdrawn, in each case at the discretion of CLEF. 

34. This Competition and these Rules and Regulations shall be governed by New Zealand law and the courts of New Zealand shall have non-exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all issues and disputes that may arise in relation to this Competition or these Rules and Regulations. Applicants submit to the jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts and agree that the New Zealand courts are a convenient forum in which to resolve any issue or dispute concerning this Competition or these Rules and Regulations.