Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 4, 2026
Auckland-based musician Avishi Jain has reached a defining milestone in her artistic journey by winning the National Songwriting Competition, one of the most respected creative platforms for emerging talent in New Zealand.
Organised by ‘Play It Strange,’ the competition is widely recognised for its commitment to nurturing originality among young people and offering them a professional stage upon which to present their artistic identity. For many aspiring musicians, it serves as a rare gateway into the wider industry, combining mentorship, recognition and the invaluable opportunity to record original work in a professional studio.
By securing this honour, Avishi joined a select group of young New Zealanders whose creative promise has been acknowledged by some of the most experienced figures in the local music scene. Her achievement is not merely a personal triumph but a signal that a compelling new voice has entered the country’s musical landscape.
Capturing the Judges’ Imagination
Avishi’s winning entry, her original acoustic composition entitled ‘Lies,’ distinguished itself through its emotional clarity, lyrical honesty and a musical maturity that far exceeds her age.
The Judges were struck by the authenticity of the piece, noting the depth of feeling woven into its melody and the confidence with which it was delivered. As part of her prize, she was invited to record the track at Big Fan Studios in Auckland, a facility known for supporting some of the country’s most promising young artists.
The studio experience brought a new dimension to her work, allowing her to refine the song’s texture while preserving the raw sincerity that first captured the judges’ attention. The result was a polished yet intimate recording that reflects both her technical skill and her instinctive understanding of musical storytelling.
A Digital Debut
Lies was officially released on Spotify on January 22, 2026, and its reception has been remarkable. Within six weeks, the track surpassed 2000 streams, a significant milestone for a debut release by a teenage artist. While the song has been warmly embraced by listeners in New Zealand, it has found particularly strong resonance in Europe and Canada, where its reflective tone and acoustic simplicity have attracted a growing audience.
The global reach of the track underscores the universality of Avishi’s songwriting.
Her ability to articulate personal emotion in a way that speaks across cultures and borders is a rare gift, and the continued momentum of the song suggests that her artistic voice is one that listeners are eager to follow.
What makes this achievement even more striking is the timeline of its creation.
Avishi first conceived the ideas for Lies at the age of 15, and the song reached the public shortly after she turned 16. Every element of the piece is her own work: the concept, the lyrics, the melody, the guitar arrangement and the vocal performance.
This holistic approach to music making reveals a young artist who is not merely performing but shaping her craft with intention and independence.
Her creative process is characterised by curiosity and experimentation. She enjoys stretching the boundaries of her musical abilities, twisting melodies, exploring new textures and constantly refining her arrangements. This disciplined self-reliance is all the more impressive given her academic commitments at Westlake Girls High School, where she balances her studies with her artistic pursuits.
Early Foundations in India
Avishi’s relationship with music began long before she arrived in New Zealand.
Raised in New Delhi, she developed a fascination with singing at the age of four. Even before she fully understood the meaning of the lyrics she performed, she displayed an instinctive grasp of phrasing, breathing and pronunciation. Teachers and observers quickly recognised her natural aptitude, and she soon became a regular presence in inter-school and intra-school competitions at East Point School, earning accolades that brought pride to her institution.
Alongside her elder sister, Rashi Jain, she undertook formal training in Hindustani classical music through Gandharva Vidyalaya. This rigorous education instilled in her a deep respect for musical structure, discipline and tradition.
The influence of this classical grounding remains evident in her contemporary work, lending technical precision to her modern acoustic style.
A Musical Life in Auckland
Now settled in Auckland, Avishi continues to expand her musical horizons.
She and her sister maintain their classical training under the guidance of their teacher, Lata Bhushan, while also immersing themselves in Western musical traditions through the extensive programmes offered at Westlake Girls’ High School.
Avishi is a proud member of Cantare and Choralation, two of the most prestigious secondary school choirs in New Zealand. These ensembles, representing Westlake Girls and Westlake Boys High Schools, consistently excel at the national Big Sing competition, earning multiple Gold Awards and top ensemble honours. Their repertoire spans complex classical works, traditional Maori items and contemporary compositions, and they have contributed to professional film soundtracks, further enhancing their reputation.
Membership in these choirs demands exceptional commitment, technical skill and discipline. Many alumni progress to national organisations such as the New Zealand Youth Choir, and Jain’s involvement places her among the country’s most promising young vocalists.
A Family Steeped in Music
Music runs strongly through the Jain family. Before her songwriting success, Avishi won (Radio) Tarana Idol 2023, a live singing competition that tests vocal ability and stage presence. In a remarkable display of shared talent, her sister Rashi won the same title the following year.
The duo was also honoured with the Culture Award for Achievements in Music and Performing Arts at the 10th Annual Sports, Community, Arts and Culture Awards in 2024, organised by Indian Newslink.
Together, the sisters are frequent performers at cultural events within Auckland’s Indian community, including celebrations of Indian national festivals at Westlake Girls’ High School. Their performances blend heritage and contemporary artistry, reflecting the multicultural identity they proudly embody.
Beyond her vocal talent, Avishi has a deep love for songwriting. While she often collaborates with Rashi, she continues to develop her own musical ideas with independence and clarity. Her ability to merge thoughtful lyrics with intricate instrumental arrangements demonstrates a maturity rarely found in teenage artists. Fluent in Hindi and English, she brings a multicultural perspective to her work, representing a new generation of New Zealand musicians who are unafraid to innovate and explore.
A Future defined by Promise
The recognition she has earned through ‘Play It Strange’ marks an important step in what promises to be a long and fulfilling musical career. With dedication, originality and a visionary approach to composition, Avishi Jain is emerging as a young artist with a distinctive voice and a global sensibility. As she continues to release new material and refine her craft, the music world will be watching her progress with keen interest.