Iain Blakeley
Iain is a long serving member of the Royal New Pipe Bands’ Association and is currently President. Iain is a piper, and has played and held leadership roles in NZ Champion grade 1 bands, both in NZ and overseas. He is a current national pipe band and solo piping adjudicator, NZ solo piping Gold Medalist and successful solo piping competitor. Iains profile can be found by clicking on his website below.
Liam Kernaghan
Board Member
P: (+64) 21 715 108
liam.kernaghan@rnzpba.com
LLB, BA (Hons), Barrister & Solicitor High Court of New Zealand
Liam is passionate about pipe bands and has competed for almost two decades in contests across New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. For three years, he was Editor of NZ Pipeband magazine, and in 2020, was admitted to the National Adjudication Panel.
Liam is one of New Zealand’s most prolific solo pipers, having won top positions at all major competitions in New Zealand, and has also taken prizes in Scotland.
In his professional life, Liam has worked across public policy, strategic communications, corporate affairs and government relations, so he brings an extensive skill-set to the RNZPBA Board. He was elected in December 2023.
Stuart McHale
Board Member
P: (+64) 21 0233 0045
stuart.mchale@rnzpba.com
Stuart joined the Board January 2021. He is currently the Bass Drummer, Drum Major and Band Manager for the Manawatu Scottish #1 Pipe Band. Stuart has a particular interest in communication, youth and technology, and is honing in on facilitating change, in the image and branding of the RNZPBA and it’s programmes. Born and bred in Rotorua, and subsequently Hamilton where he studied, he has an affinity for pipe banding at a grass roots level.
