Dunedin, Rotorua, Nelson get 2015 ‘Major Championships’
The New Zealand, North Island and South Island Pipe Band Championship locations have been determined and released from the RNZPBA this morning, with Dunedin and Rotorua being the big winners.
Dunedin will host the South Island Championships alongside their annual Otago Southland Championships on the 22nd of February 2015. Rotorua will be hosting the North Island Championships alongside their Central North Island Championships on the 28th of February 2015. Nelson’s National Championship has been known for some time, and will occur on the 13th and 14th of March.
Canterbury Caledonian currently hold all three titles in the grade one, having won the National Championships, the Canterbury Championships and Palmerston North Square Day. St Andrews College hold two of – the Nationals and the South Island Championships – and Pipe Band Club hold the North Island Championships.
The introduction of a North Island/South Island Championship came about after discussions the RNZPBA held with grade one band leaders and other interested parties, in amongst a raft of other suggestions.
Judges for the championships have been organised but not announced as of yet.
