A spellbinding expose into the journey New Zealanders take to compete on the world stage is the focus of the ‘12,000 Miles’ documentary, premiering world-wide on the eve of the 2024 New Zealand Pipe Band Championships, the Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands’ Association is pleased to announce.
The documentary follows the four Kiwi pipe bands that travelled to the 2023 World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow – Auckland and District, Canterbury Caledonian Society, Manawatu Scottish and St Andrew’s College – from the very start of their campaigns right through to the competition at Glasgow Green. Showcasing the true Antipodean flavour of New Zealand pipe banding, Kiwis from all walks of life show what it takes to travel the 12,000 miles (18,000km) each year to pit themselves against the best in the business.
Our Four Bands
What does it take to travel 12,000 Miles?
A&D 0:41
Their first time back at the Worlds since 2017, with a trip to France in the mix… what will the Aucklanders bring?
Canterbury 0:40
How will the reigning New Zealand champions get on?
Manawatu 0:38
No strangers to Scottish soil, will Manawatu beat their best Worlds placing yet?
St Andrew’s College 0:31
The 2013 World Juvenile champions hungry for more success – will they get it?
Episode One – Groundwork
Groundwork explores New Zealand’s top pipe bands in their hometowns before they journey to Scotland, revealing their dedication, heritage, and camaraderie as they prepare for the World Pipe Band Championships.
As they transition from home practices to Glasgow’s vibrant parks, where the sound of bagpipes fills the summer air, we see how the bands bond over their shared purpose. With 190 bands and nearly 9,000 pipers and drummers in attendance, the city is transformed into a stage for this global celebration, building excitement as the New Zealand bands prepare to compete on the world stage.
Episode Two – Circadian Clocks
In Circadian Clocks, New Zealand pipe bands acclimatise to Scotland, competing in North Berwick and Perth, visiting cultural sites, and preparing for the World Pipe Band Championships.
For the students of St Andrew’s College, a trip to Saint Andrew’s Castle provides unique opportunity to explore Scottish heritage. Meanwhile, the Canterbury Caledonian Society and Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band settle into Glasgow, where they find themselves balancing social activities with rigorous practice schedules.
Episode Three – The Green
In the finale – The Green – New Zealand’s pipe bands prepare for the World Pipe Band Championships. St. Andrew’s visits St. Andrews Castle, A&D heads to Pitlochry, and each band brings its best to Glasgow’s grand stage.
As the bands undergo last-minute rehearsals and participate in the Piping Live! festival, they face the demands of competition, from managing nerves to perfecting each detail. The final tuning moments on stage spotlight each musician’s commitment, bringing this series to a powerful conclusion as these bands proudly showcase their skill, passion, and cultural pride on the world’s biggest pipe band stage
What people said
“Captured the emotion, the commitment, the triumphs and the tribulations – one of the best pipe band documentaries ever.”
“You step back and think – ‘Yeah, we did that.’ And to have that on film for prosterity is something very special indeed.”
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Footage collected
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Bands followed for six months
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Special moment at Glasgow Green - captured forever.
