Success for pipe bands

NZ Police pipe bands finished well at the recent New Zealand South Pacific National Pipe Band Championships in Invercargill. Both the Auckland Police Highland Pipe Band (APHPB) and the Wellington-based NZ Police Pipe Band (NZPPB) competed in the field of 35 bands, which included two from Australia.



NZPPB was placed 1st in the Medley and 2nd overall in Grade 1, retaining their status as one of the best bands in the country.

NZPPB President, Assistant Commissioner Jon White says the continued high placing reflected the talents of a group of extremely dedicated people who brought great credit to NZ Police.

Band manager, former Inspector Dale Stephens says the band was pleased with their placing in the champs.

"The band is in a rebuilding phase after extensive touring and competition commitments a couple of years ago. Second placing at the champs puts us in a good position for the resumption of our international touring programme," says Dale. "We are going to Ireland in June for the European Pipe Band Championships – one of the 'big five' international competitions. It will give us valuable experience before the World champs in Glasgow next year."

APHPB was placed 7th in Grade 3, and won the street march, dress and drill, coming 2nd in the drumming in one event. Superintendent Roger Carson is the Auckland band's patron and attended the competitions. He took the salute from the bands at the street march and display.

"It was a source of enormous pride for me to watch the band compete in all the various demanding events and to take the salute," says Roger.

APHPB also has a number of engagements lined up. It is performing at a tattoo later this year in Hobart with the Tasmanian Police and in 2006 will play at the South Australian Police Tattoo in Adelaide. And Roger is pleased to announce that the band has been invited to play at the prestigious Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland in 2007.