Newsletter #1 (May 2022)
New Zealand & South Pacific Pipe Band Championships in Christchurch. 10 & 11 March 2023.
The steering committee for the 2023 New Zealand & South Pacific Pipe Band Championship is in the early stages of planning the event, chaired by pipe band stalwart Scott Mitchell, and operating under the umbrella of the RNZPBA Canterbury Centre.
The committee is delighted to have South Pacific Championship status, following a recently signed agreement between the Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands’ Association and Pipe Bands Australia, which will see four such Championships, two each in New Zealand and Australia, from 2023 to 2032.
It is the intent of the organisers to make this a special event for the NZ and Australian pipe band movements, and also for the city of Christchurch, and we firmly believe Christchurch is ready and waiting for such an event, given we are now so close to being a brand-new city following the devastating Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Discussions are being held with the Hororata Community Trust who run the very high profile Hororata Highland Games in November each year, with a view to running something of a collaborative event, but this is an aside from the contest itself. The Centre is confident the steering committee has the wherewithal to produce a memorable contest, and for the first time, based in the event centre of the city – North Hagley Park. Most of the city’s major outdoor events are held here, The Christchurch City Council, in early discussions, have shown immense interest in supporting the event.
With South Pacific Championships status, we certainly hope the contest will attract interest from Australian bands and given the dearth of competition ahead of us this season, we’re hoping to fill a void in 2023. The committee will be contacting all bands in the region in the new year, but certainly invite initial registrations of interest. A quick email to Scott Mitchell (finance@rnzpba.com) or Chris Stevens (digital@rnzpba.com) will ensure you’re on the list for future correspondence.
The Venue.
North Hagley Park is very much in the centre of Christchurch – just 10 minutes’ walk from Cathedral Square, and right next to the Canterbury Museum in the Cultural Precinct. There is ample accommodation in nearby Riccarton, Merivale, Papanui, St Albans, and throughout the central city and suburbs.
Restaurants and other entertainment and hospitality establishments are all within a stone’s throw of the park, and a short walk will take visitors into the new and vibrant central city area.
We are far from determining details but intend to hold the Street March event close to the main park, and are considering late Friday afternoon for this, to be run as a promotion for the Saturday premiere events.
