Upcoming Events › New Zealand

Come along to the Highland Ball in Waikanae for a fun evening of dancing and socialising. Live band all night, a set from the Kapiti Pipes & Drums and a full catered supper provided. BYO drinks. Email [email protected] for enquiries, or check out our Facebook page Kapiti Caledonian Society www.facebook.com/events/126146044719771/?ti=ia

Margaret Kamester, a friend in Canada, has written about this village and the WWII POW camp at nearby Cultybraggan, where a very special man, Herbert Sulzbach, achieved wonders in the de-Nazification of prisoners, and how one of them, Heinrich Steinmeyer, rewarded Comrie with amazing generosity for the humane treatment accorded to the prisoners with the ... Read more

Robin Robertson is one of Britain's most acclaimed poets. His recently released book-length narrative poem, The Long Take, is 'a beautiful, vigorous and achingly melancholy hymn to the common man that is as unexpected as it is daring. Here we have a poet at the peak of his symphonic powers taking a great risk, and ... Read more

Chronicles a year in the life of The Bookshop - the largest second hand bookshop in Scotland. It contains over 100,000 books, spread over a mile of shelving along twisting corridors. Bythell paints, with Black Books-esque humour, a picture of a daily grind punctuated by time-wasting customers, the occasional golden find, and spits aptly as ... Read more

St Davids in the Fields Church, 202 Hillsborough Rd. All are welcome to play, dance, or even call ceilidh dances and certainly just to watch. Info: [email protected]

The RNZPBA is delighted to announce the inaugural NZ Solo Drumming Championship at The Drama Theatre, Scots College. The competition is an invitation only one independent of pipe band contests or solo piping events. The RNZPBA plan to live stream the event. Info: www.nzpipebands.org.nz

Heart of the Highlands will tell the stories and legends that are said to be the origins behind the traditional highland dances of Scotland. The Highland Dance Company of New Zealand brings together New Zealand’s top highland dance talent including past and present NZ champion dancers at ASB Theatre Marlborough, 2 Hutcheson St. Info: www.nzahnd.org.nz

Acclaimed Scottish writer Denise Mina leads an in-depth guide to plotting. Join a limited capacity group to learn the art of a well-baked plot from the writer of the Detective Morrow and Paddy Meehan series and of plays, short stories, and graphic novels. Bring your works in progress or come with a clean slate and ... Read more

Best-selling Glaswegian crime writer Denise Mina joins Catherine Robertson for a conversation about a writing life immersed in the darker side of life. Following her brilliantly engrossing Alex Morrow and Garnethill series, Mina's latest book is the award-winning The Long Drop, based on the true story of Peter Manuel, a serial killer operating in 1950s ... Read more

Be sure to see this spectacular showcase of Celtic legends told in highland dance by the internationally acclaimed Highland Dance Company of New Zealand. Learn the stories behind the classic dances of the highlands of Scotland brought to you by this innovative Company of New Zealand’s top highland dance talent joined by Oamaru’s own local ... Read more

Monthly on the first Friday at St Luke's Church, 130 Remuera Rd. All instruments welcome to read through favourite Scottish tunes and dance sets. Info: John Hawthorn: [email protected]

A mix of Irish, Scottish and American folk music with guitar, fiddle, banjo bodhran and voice at Dodson Street Beer Garden, 1 Dodson St. Info: www.dodsonstreet.co.nz

The Celtic Pipe Band present an afternoon of entertainment with a mixture of traditional and modern music in their very own Worlds Variety Concert at the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts. All proceeds will help CPB get to the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow - August 2019. Tickets: www.ncma.nz

7:30 PM - 11:00 PM at St Luke's Church, 130 Remuera Rd. Info: www.freewebs.com/aucklandscottishfiddleclub

Join us for a ceilidh dance to farewell winter and welcome in spring! As usual your favourite family band the Chias will be playing up a storm to get your toes tapping and hands clapping. Everyone welcome, invite your friends and family at Te Atatu Peninsula Community Centre. Info: +64 22 084 8581 or www.facebook.com/aucklandceilidhs

At Pipe Band Hall, Newtown, 12.30pm. Info: www.shetlandwellington.org.nz

A Celtic Variety Concert featuring performances by Shamrock Touch, Highland & Irish Dancers, Ella Kernick-Harvey (vocal), Blenheim & Districts Pipers and Drummers, Angus John Monk (piano), Kurt Simcic & friends (Celtic) at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 38 York St. Info: Phone: 03-573 6466.

A cèilidh is a traditional Scottish or Irish social gathering. In its most basic form, it simply means a social visit. In contemporary usage, it usually involves playing Gaelic folk music and dancing, either at a house party or a larger concert at a social hall or other community gathering place. At Irish Society Hall, ... Read more

Sampling whisky from 6 of Scotland's finest distilleries, come join us for an evening of fun and whisky history, with entertainment by Papakura Pipe Band at Glengarry Wines, 118 Wellesley Street West. Info: www.papakurapipeband.co.nz

“It is curious how keenly allied in character are the Scottish Highlander and the Maori” – Former Director of the VUW Stout Centre Irish/Scottish Studies, Brad Patterson will tell of his research into the intriguing story of this relationship with the Victoria University of Wellington Scottish Interest Group. Info: www.wellyscots.wordpress.com

St Davids in the Fields Church, 202 Hillsborough Rd. All are welcome to play, dance, or even call ceilidh dances and certainly just to watch. Info: [email protected]

Monthly on the first Friday at St Luke's Church, 130 Remuera Rd. All instruments welcome to read through favourite Scottish tunes and dance sets. Info: John Hawthorn: [email protected]

Papakura Pipe Band excited to announce the mini band contest is back again for 2018, with more craic in store for everyone at Murphy's Law Irish Bar, 200 Great South Rd. Registration and info: www.papakurapipeband.co.nz/minis

This exciting one day event will consist of two core sections: a standard style competition during the day for all ages and graded events including a full list of Novice, D, C, and B Grade Piobaireachd and light music followed by a concert style event in the evening for those entered in the Under 21 ... Read more

7:30 PM - 11:00 PM at St Luke's Church, 130 Remuera Rd. Info: www.freewebs.com/aucklandscottishfiddleclub

As one of the biggest solo piping competitions in New Zealand and highly rated amongst competitors and spectators alike, the competitions are home to the biggest light music prize in NZ piping, the Silver Chanter March, Strathspey & Reel event at St Andrew's College, Normans Rd. Info: www.pipersclub.co.nz/competitions

St Davids in the Fields Church, 202 Hillsborough Rd. All are welcome to play, dance, or even call ceilidh dances and certainly just to watch. Info: [email protected]

The beauties of Shetland knitwear and the skill of its creators Members of the Shetland Society will come to share and demonstrate how these marvellous pieces are created – traditional and modern designs including the fine lace with the Victoria University of Wellington Scottish Interest Group. Info: www.wellyscots.wordpress.com

Monthly on the first Friday at St Luke's Church, 130 Remuera Rd. All instruments welcome to read through favourite Scottish tunes and dance sets. Info: John Hawthorn: [email protected]

7:30 PM - 11:00 PM at St Luke's Church, 130 Remuera Rd. Info: www.freewebs.com/aucklandscottishfiddleclub

A brilliant day of Scottish celebration at New Zealand's largest Scottish event with pipe bands, athletics, Scottish dance, Clan lane and more at Hororata Domain. Info: Cindy Driscoll 021 366 606 or www.hororatahighlandgames.org.nz

A Celtic Tattoo celebrating Armistice Day at the "Castle" upstairs at the Hornby Club, 17 Carmen Road, Hornby. Info: www.facebook.com/Hornby-Tattoo-2018-1648046535271709/

A range of activities from traditional and contemporary Scottish culture at Ellerslie Event Centre, 80 Ascot Ave, Remuera. Info: www.aucklandhighlandgames.wordpress.com

St Davids in the Fields Church, 202 Hillsborough Rd. All are welcome to play, dance, or even call ceilidh dances and certainly just to watch. Info: [email protected]

Saint Andrew's Day is Scotland's official national day. Celebrate St Andrew's Day (or in Scottish Gaelic 'Là Naomh Anndrais'), Scotland's patron saint!

Annual Highland Day Contest run by the Canterbury Caledonian Society Grade One Pipe Band commences at 11am. To be held in the grounds of the Ilam Homestead. Info: Secretary Kim Robertson [email protected]

At Pipe Band Hall, Newtown, 12.30pm. Info: www.shetlandwellington.org.nz

Monthly on the first Friday at St Luke's Church, 130 Remuera Rd. All instruments welcome to read through favourite Scottish tunes and dance sets. Info: John Hawthorn: [email protected]

Upwards of 20 highland pipe bands and scores of contestant solo bagpipers, solo drummers and highland dancers will converge on The Square. Info: [email protected]

7:30 PM - 11:00 PM at St Luke's Church, 130 Remuera Rd. Info: www.freewebs.com/aucklandscottishfiddleclub

Wishing all our readers and friends a very Happy Christmas and festive season!

The RSCDS New Zealand Branch Inc. extends a warm invitation for all Scottish country dancers to attend the Summer School. Info: www.dancescottish.org.nz

St Davids in the Fields Church, 202 Hillsborough Rd. All are welcome to play, dance, or even call ceilidh dances and certainly just to watch. Info: [email protected]

The Scottish Banner wishes all our readers and friends a very Happy Hogmanay and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2019!

The first Highland Games to take place each year in the world, bagpipes, Scottish dance, Clans, tartan and more. Info: www.waipugames.co.nz

The largest Summer School in the Southern Hemisphere offers Jack Lee and Reid Maxwell from world-famous Simon Fraser University Pipe Band (Canada); fantastic tutors from New Zealand and additional international tutors at St Andrew’s College, Papanui Rd. Info: [email protected] or www.nzpipebands.org.nz/education/summer-school

Celebrating everything Scottish with Highland & National dancing, the New Zealand Open Solo Piping Championships, pipe bands and traditional Scottish field events. Many Clans are represented and members are happy to help you research your Celtic heritage at Turakina Domain, Cameron Rd. Info: 027 6656 238 or www.turakinahighlandgames.co.nz