The song quest that has launched such artists as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Dame Malvina Major, Christopher Doig and Jonathan Lemalu now has a new sponsor - the luxury car distributor Lexus New Zealand.

The chairperson of the International Arts Festival, Fran Wilde, welcoming Lexus as the new sponsor, said the Song Quest had over the past 48 years become an icon of the cultural landscape, nurturing and promoting generations of young singers.The song quest that has launched such artists as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Dame Malvina Major, Christopher Doig and Jonathan Lemalu now has a new sponsor - the luxury car distributor Lexus New Zealand.

The chairperson of the International Arts Festival, Fran Wilde, welcoming Lexus as the new sponsor, said the Song Quest had over the past 48 years become an icon of the cultural landscape, nurturing and promoting generations of young singers."The Festival is excited by the prospect of upholding and developing this tradition.

"Both the Festival and Lexus are committed to the highest standards and we embrace the opportunity to encourage and assist New Zealand's young singers in their pursuit of excellence," she said.

The chairman of Toyota New Zealand, Bob Field, said Lexus planned to build on the rich traditions established during Mobil's long sponsorship of the Song Quest.

"We aim to strengthen the Song Quest's place in the performing arts calendar while at the same time providing added public exposure for the successful contestants."

Mr Field said New Zealand's reputation had been enhanced by the international success achieved by past winners of the Song Quest and this was a key factor in his company's decision to sponsor the event.

"It is also important that Lexus acknowledges Mobil for its outstanding 48-year support of the Song Quest and register our appreciation for the opportunity to sponsor such a high-quality event with an established tradition of success."

Entry forms for the 2005 Lexus Song Quest are now available and the event itself will be held in Auckland on 28 April next year.

For further information: Debbie Pattullo, Toyota New Zealand Limited
Tel 06 350-3400, fax 06 354-2799, email dmpattul@toyota.co.nz