The New Zealand Police Pipeband
New Zealand Police maintains an award-winning pipe band comprised of police and civilian members. The band performs at formal police functions and civic events. It encourages goodwill between the public and the Police. The band is based at the Royal New Zealand Police College, 20 minutes drive north of Wellington.
Hear the band play a traditional hornpipe or a snippet of their CD (in RealAudio format). Visit the
New Zealand Police Pipe Band website for more information on the CD.
Band History
The band was formed in 1936 by Detective Sergeant Neil McPhee. From all accounts McPhee was a redoubtable character, who not only taught the pipers, but also manufactured his own make of bagpipe for the Police Band. Initially the band's practice room was located above the stables of the old Taranaki Street Police Station in central Wellington.
The band is an integral part of the New Zealand Police and a source of pride amongst Police members - most of whom have marched to its music at their graduation parades.
The band has accompanied Police through times of celebration and sadness and its pipers are frequently called on for Police funerals and memorial services.
As the band grew its player base around the country, and to attain a more accurate international acknowledgement, the name was changed from the Wellington Police Pipe Band to the New Zealand Police Pipe Band in 1994.
Competitions
From the beginning the band recognised that playing standards would only be maintained through competition. It has an enviable record in national competition, including the Australian and New Zealand Grade One Championships.
Internationally the band has competed in North America, Ireland and Scotland, where it has occasionally qualified for the World Championships.
The Entertainers
The band incorporates crowd pleasing displays to showcase some of the operational aspects of policing. Police dogs, mock offenders, smoke bombs and Police horses are all used in various marching displays.
The band has also performed at the prestigious Royal Tournament in Earl's Court, London. The band has performed with the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in its first performance outside Scotland in Wellington in 2000.
Contact the Band
Contact the band through the Drum Major
Hamish McCardle, phone +64 4 474 9499 at Police National Headuarters, Wellington, New Zealand.
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