The pipes are calling! Around 60 national and international pipe bands will converge on Tauranga in March 2027 to compete for national titles.
A splendid street parade through the CBD on Saturday morning will be a showy tartan display with maces tossed in the air to the sound of the pipes and drums. At Tauranga Domain, the bands will enter the competition circle playing the more formal marches-strathspeys-reels (MSR), and later, more innovative medleys. Around 12 juvenile bands will also be competing - all players aged under 18.
Rounding out the competitions will be a mace flourishing event with Drum Majors leading their band, giving instructions with the mace while twirling and tossing the staff high in the air - a thrilling spectacle. Finally all 60 or so bands will perform in the massed bands finale where all the bands play together as one!
The band contest runs over 2 days - Friday March 12 and Saturday March 13.
On the grounds you can enter Clan Avenue to find out more about the Scottish heritage of the clans and their activities in New Zealand up to today. Various vendors will also be on site for you to browse their Scottish wares.
There may even be the opportunity to have a go at the pipes or drums!