The first word pupils were asked to spell yesterday evening at the Otago Daily Times Extra! Spelling Quiz in Central Otago was ''action'', setting the tone for spirited competition.
More than 100 children from all over the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts participated in the event at Cromwell College, showing off their spelling knowledge with some tricky words.
Two competitions were held, for years 5-6 and years 7-8.
A team from Queenstown's Remarkables Primary School, Tayah, Cameron Bates, and Siena Mackley, won the top prize for the years 5-6 contest.
Siena said she was ''surprised'' at the win.
''I didn't think we had a chance. It was really hard.''
But the girls had been practising.
''I practised for it all my holiday,'' Charlotte said.
The girls said they would like to continue spelling and maybe even begin writing.
Years 7-8 winners Jacob Bromby, Riley Allan and Rose Wearing, of The Terrace School in Alexandra, were ''happy'' with their win but there were a few mixed thoughts in the team about the difficulty.
Jacob thought it ''wasn't that hard'' while Rose and Riley thought it was a bit challenging.
''Probably figuring out what matched to which country was the hardest,'' Rose said.
Extra! editor Trish Rowe said it was her third Extra! quiz.
''It's really rewarding to see the kids put their heads down. There were parts where they turned the page and it was so quiet.
''They're really engaged with the work they were given.''
The Central Otago years 9-10 quiz will be held tonight.
