The national championships will bring people to Rotorua from far and wide to compete and watch.
The national championships will bring people to Rotorua from far and wide to compete and watch.
Fingers will either be on pipes or in ears next month as hundreds of pipers and drummers come marching in to Rotorua.
For the first time in 20 years the Royal NZ Pipe Bands Association National Championships will be held in Rotorua and more than 2000 band members are expected.
Almost 50 bands are expected to compete in the event, across four grades.
The event is being hosted by the City of Rotorua Highland Pipe Band and organised by a committee representing the band.
Committee chairman Kevin Nelly said they had been working on the event for roughly two years.
"It's the premier pipe band event in New Zealand. Rotorua hasn't held it since 1998."
He said there were many benefits to hosting the national event.
"The economic impact for the city is quite substantial. The bands can have an average of 30 members, some of the bigger ones have up to 50. They've all got to book into accommodation. They will all be using local transport and eating in the restaurants," Nelly said.
The Rotorua band is Grade 4b and will compete with others at the same level. Photo / Supplied
"People will come from all around New Zealand as well to support. We're hoping the local Rotorua people will turn out as well."
The city's own City Of Rotorua Highland Pipe Band has been practising weekly for the championship where it will compete in grade 4b.
The City of Rotorua Highland Pipe Band has been practising weekly and recently performed at the Paeroa Highland Games. Photo / Supplied
"They practise every week and have been for some time. As well as that they've been competing at different events," Nelly said. "They have a lot of young players in their first national event."
At the event, 38 graded and 11 juvenile (members under 18) bands will compete. Some of the bands have competed at the World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.
The events are judged by judges from around New Zealand and another three from Scotland.
The Royal NZ Pipe Bands Association National Championships 2018 : - At the Rotorua International Stadium on March 9 from 9am and March 10 from 12pm - Pipe band competitions, food, stalls and bar. - Street march and massed band display on March 10. 9am start outside Rotorua Primary School. - Stadium entry $10 per day, under-12s free. - Road closures: March 10, 8am to noon, Rangiuru St (from Whakaue St to Arawa St), Arawa Street (from Hospital Entrance to Tutanekai St) and Amohia St (from Arawa St to Haupapa St)
