More than 1500 New Zealand and Australian band members, including Hokonui Celtic Pipe Band from Gore, gathered at the Queens Park cricket ground to show their skills and rhythm at the 2025 New Zealand Pipe Band Championships.
Organising committee chairman Brendan Copeland was pleased with the turnout.
He said it took about two years of planning and a lot of hard work to be able to host such an important event.
"It is really great to see the event finally get off the ground and the Invercargill and Southland community really got behind and supported us.
Hokonui Celtic Pipe Band competed in grades 4A and 4B. They were second in grade 4A and 10th out of 17 bands in grade 4B.
Hokonui Celtic piper Teri Hattrill said she had been playing the bagpipes for 23 years as a kind of family tradition as her two other sisters were also part of the band.
She said she was pleased to take her baby daughter Kaia Wikaira to see her performing for the first time.
"I hope she will be my lucky charm.
"I would love for her to start to play in the band when she is a bit older as it is a pretty cool environment to be brought up."
Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands’ Association president Liam Kernaghan said the wet did not dampen the spirits too much.
"It got a little bit in the way, but pipe bands are hearty people and they just get on with it."
He said the event was a huge success.
RESULTS
Grade 1: Manawatu Scottish
Grade 2: St Andrew’s College
Grade 3: Hamilton Caledonian
Grade 4A: Metro Scottish
Grade 4B: ILT City of Invercargill
Juvenile: St Andrew’s College
