Congratulations to Eddie Eeles who was honoured in the King’s Birthday honours list with a King’s Service Medal. Eddie is the recently retired Drum Major of the Auckland Police Pipe Band, and currently serves as their president. Eddie has a long history in the New Zealand pipe band movement and his accoldate is richly deserved.
The citation for the KSM is as follows:
EELES, Mr Edwin John (Eddie), JP
For services to pipe bands
Mr Eddie Eeles has a had an award-winning career in the pipe band community since 1953, holding leadership and mentorship roles nationally.
Mr Eeles has held playing member, Drum Major and President roles in the Auckland and District Pipe Band. He led the band to eight wins at the New Zealand Championships between 1969 and 2000. He became the current President of the Auckland Police Pipe Band in 2021. He has led these bands on numerous overseas tours for Military Tattoos and World Championships. In 2005 he won the prestigious National Drum Majors’ Championship. In March 2024, he became a Life Member of both bands. He has been a member of national judging panels, review committees and held many leadership, appointment and selection panel positions in the Auckland pipe band community, as well as nationally. He is currently a director of the Pipe Band Foundation of New Zealand. He has been instrumental in mentoring younger individuals nationally, ensuring the pipe band movement’s traditions are passed on with integrity and passion. Mr Eeles has served in a governance role on the Auckland Centre of the Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands’ Association and as a delegate to the National Association, providing input into policies and strategy for the betterment of the national pipe band community.
