Annual General Meeting
The Band's AGM was held in the Matai Room at the RNZPC under the chairmanship of President Jon White. The President's report recalled a busy and successful year for the band in its 72nd year.
Pipe Major and Drum Sergeant set out the three year strategic plan for the Band, officers were returned by vote, and a new Hon Vice President was elected, Mr Lewis Turrell.
A week of it - Remembrance Day - Policing Act Parade
Pipers Andrew Sander and Craig Fraser did the duties this week at RNZPC.
Andrew braved a chilly 8c southerly wind to play for those in the Police family who have passed on in the past 12 months. The service also saw the unveiling of a plaque on the Police Memorial Wall for Sgt Derek Wootton's tragic death.
On 1 October Craig Fraser had the honour of performing the inaugural public performance of the "Policing Act March" for the Minister of Police, Hon. Annette King and Commissioner Broad. The tune composed by Tip Kaa is a four part 6/8 march. The parade and tune marked the date of the new Act coming into force for NZ Police.
World Championship Results
Simon Fraser win, FMM 2nd... NZ Police, well we didn't qualify which was a real shame for the guys and gals. But the band was happy enough with the MSR in the qualifier.
The Band was invited to play for the Chieftain's march past at the end of the day.
George Cross Gardens Parade
The Band teamed up with the PSNI Pipe Band to perform at the George Cross Memorial Gardens (RUC Memorial Gardens) to honour the fallen and raise funds for the Chief Constable's child cancer charity. The parade was a great success and continues the Band's close connection with the PSNI.
Ulster Champs - dry and 5th
Not exactly the result desired by the Band, but the performances were just as desired. Two good clean runs through on a solid sound base. Further details to come... At least the rain held off for the event. Meanwhile the day earlier the Band enjoyed performing with the PSNI at a graduation parade at Garnerville Police College.
Mild but wet - Band arrives in Belfast
Shifting 35 kiwis and their gear to Belfast over 30 hours of travel by plane, bus and ferry is always a challenge. The lads are setting up at Stranmillis University this week, and practicing with the PSNI Pipe Band all day Friday at the Police Service of Northern Ireland college in Garnerville. 16c and light rain on arrival.
Northern Ireland and Scotland bound
The Band's final practice weekend was conducted on 26/27 July at RNZPC. It's now all systems go for shifting the 33 player team to the other side of the world to compete. Our best wishes go to PM Iain Robertson as he competes at the Lorient Interceltic Festival next week, before arriving with the Band in on the ferry to Larne.
Retired Commissioner Bob Walton funeral
Six band members had the honour of carrying in the retired Commissioner of Police to his funeral service at Old St Paul's in Wellington. Bob Walton was also a longstanding Drum Major of the Auckland Police Pipe Band. Pipe Major Iain Robertson piped Commissioner Walton on his final journey.
Sgt. Derek Wootton farewelled
The funeral for Sgt Wootton was held at the RNZPC on 16 July. The traditional lament Flowers of the forest was requested by the Wootton family to farewell Derek as he passed by the Memorial Wall. Derek was the 27th New Zealand officer to be killed in the line of duty since 1886.
Practice weekend update
As the band enters the final stages of warm-up for the Worlds tour, people are invited to listen to the Band at its final practice at RNZPC on Sunday 27 July.
When arriving at the RNZPC, please report to reception for a visitor's pass. Reception staff will give you directions to the Band's practice area.
McPhee bagpipes purchased
A chance find on the Internet has seen a set of pipes made by the Band's founding Pipe Major Neil McPhee returned to the fold. The pipes are made of Lignum Vitae, Argentinean Ironwood, and bear McPhee's trademark small mounts. The pipes got their first official outing at the RNZPC this week when Supt. McCardle piped in the port for Commissioner of Police Howard Broad at a formal dinner.
Senior Sergeant McLeod funeral
S/Sgt Ken McLeod of Wellington was farewelled at Old St Paul's on Friday 23 May. Family had requested this proud Scots descendant be piped out of the Kirk to Amazing Grace and Come by the Hills.
World and Ulster championships build up - 1st practice - May 10 and 11
In typically cool and blustery winter conditions the band assembled the touring party for its first build-up practice at the RNZPC. The practice focus was MSR playing and tour planning.
ANZAC Day 2008
Band members supported local RSA services in several locations around the country. The national service in Wellington also featured former band musical director John Hanning prform the solo lament Abide with me for the National Radio broadcast, before the combined bands of Wellington marched the returned servicemen to the marae for gunfire coffee.
National Championships - Police - 1st drill, 1st display, 2nd drumming special, 2nd drumming aggregate, 3rd overall championship, 1st celebrity judge special prize
First-off well done to the 'Tu for taking out the championship, and AnD also sounded very sharp in 2nd. With all three top grade one bands sharing various aspects of the honours from the contest, and great to see the big NSW Band Club effort over as well - it bodes well for the state of play of pipe banding in the Southern half of the world.
Under sunny skies the band accompanied by four of Auckland's Police Dog Section, and local police staff marched through the streets of Papakura to good applause from a big crowd of locals who turned out.
Two good runs through the main music events saw the main part of the day behind us, but the medley was not without a couple of annoying errors which, must be acknowledged, removed any chance of a clean sheet in music. The drummers being the stand-out consistent performers of the contest with three solid performances.
The display event again proved popular with the crowd, with the celebrity judge choosing the Police display as the crowd favourite, and even Assistant Commissioner Jon White (Band President) making a cameo appearance to take the salute at the end of the event. Photo's up soon....
Roll on the build-up for the world championships... practices commence May at the Band's RNZPC base.
Iain's invitation to represent New Zealand in the solo piping competition at the prestigious Lorient festival is now confirmed. This is one of the largest Celtic arts festivals on the international calendar. Iain's invitation is a great honour, and he will join the Band directly in Belfast after the competition for the build-up for the Ulster Championships.
See the Band warming-up in Papakura
The Band will be practicing at the Papakura contest venue on Friday afternoon from 1230 onwards. Look for the Police vans at the park. The Auckland Police Dog section will also make an appearance in the afternoon for a street march and display practice.
Supporters and friends of the Band are invited to join with the Band at Motel 540 Great South Rd on Friday evening for a Band get-together.
Final practice weekend - 1/2 March
Great to see so many friendly faces from the past as the Band went through its dress rehearsal paces (messers Chris Croton, Ross Hanning, Cuza Kinzett, Reg Todd and Gina Edwards). With nearly everyone in, the big-band sound was really starting to gel by Saturday afternoon. With excitement building for the nationals next weekend, it's all set for next Saturday in Papakura.
New Uniforms Launched
The Band marched out in its new St Kilda supported uniforms today, and we had the great pleasure of Australasian St Kilda supplier Mr Doug Manger staying with us at our RNZPC base to see the sight.
