Both the 2024 Annual Report and 2025 Annual Plan will be presented at the 2025 Association AGM at Invercargill for adoption. Below is a summary of both the Report and Plan for those who cannot attend.
2024 Annual Report Summary
Leadership and Governance
The year 2024 saw significant leadership transitions within the RNZPBA. After two decades on the Board—15 of them as President—Iain Blakeley announced his retirement. His long tenure was marked by a deep commitment to strengthening the pipe band community across New Zealand. Liam Kernaghan was elected as the new President, and with his seat on the Board left vacant, Peter Duncan was appointed in the interim, pending approval at the Annual General Meeting.
Several long-serving members in different portfolios also retired, including Chris Stevens and Bryce Gilchrist, both of whom played crucial roles in centre engagement and our digital platforms. The Association acknowledged their service and contributions to its growth.
Financial Performance and Challenges
Financially, 2024 was an OK year. The Association recorded an overall loss of $20,810, which was largely due to programme activities running at a deficit. However, the Base activities (those necessary to sustain the Association’s core functions) ended with a small cash surplus of $2,647 before depreciation, thanks to a strong result from the Auckland National Contest.
A significant financial challenge stemmed from the Youth Band’s overseas tour to Canada, which nearly doubled the Association’s typical financial activity. While most of the trip was funded through sponsorships, donations, and user contributions, there was still a shortfall. The Board considered this a worthwhile long-term investment, given the exposure and experience it provided for young musicians.
Grant funding was another unpredictable factor. The RNZPBA secured a $100,000 grant from Pub Charity, which played a crucial role in sustaining education, promotional, and contest-related initiatives. However, other grant applications were unsuccessful, highlighting an ongoing need for more sustainable funding sources.
Strategic Goals and Achievements in 2024
The Association’s strategy remains focused on three key areas:
- Helping bands improve their performance.
- Growing membership and engagement.
- Building a sustainable and resilient pipe band community.
To achieve these goals, several initiatives were undertaken:
Education and Membership Growth
- The National Summer School attracted 140 students from New Zealand and Australia, offering high-level instruction from international tutors.
- Work began on a drumming teaching programme and a “Teach the Teacher” initiative to enhance drumming education across the country.
- Efforts were made to engage non-member bands and encourage them to join the Association.
Promotion and Digital Expansion
- The “Our Why” campaign, designed to promote the value of pipe bands, saw progress with new footage compiled for documentary-style promotion.
- A prototype “Learn to Play” web application was launched, aimed at making learning more accessible.
- The 12,000 Miles documentary, which explores the pipe band community, premiered successfully and received strong support from Radio New Zealand Concert.
Competitions and Events
- The 2024 National Contest in Auckland saw 55 competing bands across all grades, reaffirming its status as one of the largest contests outside of Scotland.
- The RSPBA Oceania Solo Drumming Championship, held in Christchurch, was a major success. It not only drew top competitors but also served as a qualifying event for the World Solo Drumming Championship.
- Planning for future contests in Invercargill (2025) and New Plymouth (2026) continued, with efforts to make them more financially and logistically sustainable.
RNZPBA 2025 Annual Plan: A Year of Financial Stabilisation and Modernisation
The Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands’ Association (RNZPBA) enters 2025 with a renewed focus on financial stability, education, digital transformation, and membership growth. Following a year of significant activity in 2024, including major events such as the Youth Band’s Canada trip, the National Championships in Auckland, and the successful Oceania Solo Drumming Championships, the Association now turns its attention to consolidating its progress while preparing for long-term sustainability.
2024 presented some financial challenges, with programme costs exceeding initial projections, resulting in a deficit of $20,810. We are indebted to Pub Charity for their unwavering support for many years, which has helped us deliver many successful programmes. A key focus of 2025 is ensuring financial stability within the Association and protecting member funds for years to come.
A major change this year is the restructuring of the Executive Office. With Penny Wilson stepping down in March, the Board has contracted Allister Macgregor for 12 months to evaluate and refine the Association’s back-office operations. This includes identifying inefficiencies, streamlining administration, and modernising financial planning to create a more sustainable operational model.
At the heart of the 2025 plan is a commitment to education and membership growth. The RNZPBA understands that the future of pipe bands in New Zealand relies on its ability to attract, retain, and train musicians. Expanding and improving education programmes will ensure that bands have the resources to develop strong players and leaders.
The 2025 Summer School, held in Wellington, was another great success, with 125 students benefiting from expert instruction. Moving forward, the Association aims to increase accessibility to training opportunities, particularly through its National Youth Pipe Band programme. This initiative, which has provided invaluable performance and learning experiences for young musicians, has undergone a major structural revision to improve its financial and administrative sustainability. A new Director will be appointed, and the programme will be shaped by a three-to-five-year strategic plan, ensuring long-term growth and funding stability.
To support ongoing learning, the Mentor Programme will be expanded, matching experienced tutors and advisors with developing bands. In addition, the Association will review its College of Piping and Drumming, developing a new certification system to ensure high teaching standards and progression pathways for learners.
Another key initiative is the modernisation of RNZPBA’s digital presence and operations. The Digital Group, led by George McEwan, will implement a Digital-First Strategy, transitioning historically print-based resources, such as the New Zealand Pipe Band magazine, to an online platform. This shift will not only increase accessibility but also reduce operational costs and improve engagement through regular updates, newsletters, and social media interaction.
A particular focus in 2025 will be the upgrade of the membership database, which will allow bands and individuals to track their progress, manage their information more easily, and streamline contest registrations. Additionally, efforts will be made to automate administrative processes to reduce workload and increase efficiency across the Association’s various activities.
Competitions remain a core element of the RNZPBA’s mission, providing a platform for bands to showcase their talent and improve standards. The 2025 National Contest, to be held in Invercargill, is expected to draw strong participation, with 59 bands already registered, including four from Australia. The Association is also looking ahead to the 2026 contest in Taranaki, working closely with local committees to ensure smooth planning and execution.
The success of the RSPBA Oceania Solo Drumming Championship in 2024 has led to an expansion of the event in 2025, which will now include a full suite of snare drumming categories. The Association aims to establish a standardised grading system for solo drummers, ensuring that competitions across New Zealand follow consistent rules and formats.
Beyond competition and education, promotion and public engagement will also take centre stage in 2025. The “My Why” campaign will be officially launched, aiming to tell the personal stories of pipers and drummers and attract new players to the community. The Association also sees the “12,000 Miles” documentary as a valuable tool in promoting pipe band culture to a broader audience.
In addition to increasing visibility, RNZPBA will actively pursue sponsorship opportunities, developing a professional sponsorship package to present to potential corporate and private funders. The goal is to reduce reliance on grant funding and establish long-term partnerships with organisations that align with the Association’s mission.
On the governance front, one of the most significant administrative tasks in 2025 will be the revision of RNZPBA’s constitution to comply with the Incorporated Societies Act 2022. With a deadline of April 2026, the Association must ensure that all legal requirements are met, while also providing templates and guidance to member bands and regional centres as they update their own governing documents.
Looking at the financial forecast for the year, RNZPBA expects a base surplus of $10,258, but programme activities could result in an overall deficit of $172,003 if additional funding is not secured. The Board has made it clear that programmes will not proceed unless sufficient funding is in place, ensuring that member funds are not put at risk.
To help balance the budget, membership fees and capitation levies will be adjusted for inflation (a 2.2% increase), while efforts will be made to increase grant applications and sponsorship revenue.
As RNZPBA navigates 2025, the focus remains on securing its long-term future. By prioritising financial stability, education, membership engagement, digital transformation, and promotional outreach, the Association is setting the foundation for a stronger, more sustainable pipe band community in New Zealand. While challenges remain, particularly in securing reliable funding, the leadership is committed to ensuring that the traditions of piping and drumming continue to flourish for future generations.
