Pipe Bands Bring Music, Fun And History To Tauranga
by Manawa Trust · SCOOPTauranga will host the 2027 New Zealand Pipe Band Championships on 12-13 March next year, bringing the sound, colour and energy of pipe bands to the city. But beyond the spectacle, the event is also a chance to celebrate the people, culture and lifelong sense of belonging that sit at the heart of pipe banding.
The championships will see bands from across New Zealand and from overseas come together to compete, perform and celebrate the skill, teamwork and tradition behind pipe banding. Over two days, the event will give locals and visitors the chance to experience the music up close and see the dedication that goes into each choreographed performance.
For event organiser and Tauranga Pipe Band President Conor Fraser, pipe bands are about much more than performance. They are places where people of all ages, stages, and walks of life can learn, contribute, and belong.
“There are people who have played for one band for decades. You become a family orientated band where you see each other grow and go through life,” she says.
While pipe bands are often seen at opening ceremonies or leading parades, the championships offer something different. They bring together people who are deeply passionate about the music, the history, and the shared experience of playing together, creating an atmosphere that draws people in.
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“The vastness of being around more than one pipe band at once and the overall number of bands present is a spectacle in itself,” says Conor. “This event will showcase people passionate about pipe bands and provide an energetic atmosphere.”
The event highlights to local young people and schools the potential musical pathways. Tauranga is one of the largest cities in New Zealand without a youth pipe band or school pipe bands, and organisers hope the championships will help young players see where the music could take them.
Locally, Te Puke and Districts Highland Pipe Band, the Bay of Plenty Pipes and Drums, and the City of Tauranga Pipe Band offer pathways for people interested in learning more or getting involved. These pathways can start at any age, and often begin with people simply turning up, meeting the band and giving it a go.
For many players, pipe banding becomes a lifetime passion. People travel together for competitions, perform at community events, and share in moments that can be deeply moving. Pipe bands are often part of significant occasions in people’s lives and in our shared history, which gives the music an emotional connection that many people remember long after the performance ends.
The pipe band season typically runs from November to March, with competitions, shows and community performances giving players plenty of opportunities to be part of something active and social.
As the championships get closer, locals can start following local bands at public performances expected from November ahead of the national event in March. A local competition held Waihī Beach in February, provides a great opportunity for the community to get an early taster of what to expect at the national champs in March.
Manawa Trust (formerly TECT Community Trust) is supporting the 2027 New Zealand Pipe Band Championships, recognising the way it brings people together, celebrates local talent and creates an accessible opportunity for the wider community to connect with arts and culture.
Manawa Trust Deputy Chair Kate Barry-Piceno says the championships will bring people together and celebrate the energy and diversity of the community.
“The Pipe Band Championships will showcase the talent, passion and pride that exists right here in Tauranga, while giving locals a chance to experience something truly special on their doorstep.”
Championship tickets become available in over summer. In the meantime, locals are encouraged to check out Tauranga’s local pipe bands on Facebook, see where they are performing, and get in touch if they are interested in learning more or giving pipe banding a go.
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