What’s coming up in Tartan Week 1 – 11 July
The sign at the entrance to Waipu says Ceud Mile Failte – a hundred thousand welcomes, and this year Waipu is once again welcoming visitors to celebrate Tartan Week in Waipu.
Tartan Week is one of the ways in which this small village honours its celtic origins. This year there will be a series of events beginning on International Tartan Day – 1 July and extending into the first week of the school holidays.
International Tartan Day – 1 July commemorates the repeal of the Act of Proscription which was passed by the English after the 1746 Battle of Culloden. For a generation the Act forbade all Highland men and boys to wear tartan, carry weapons, or play the pipes and was an attempt to suppress Highland culture. The Act was repealed on 1 July 1782.
Here are some of the Highlights of Tartan Week 2010 in Waipu
Full details at www.waipu-tartan.co.nz
Midday on 1 Julythe festival kicks off with the Waipu Highland Band marching down the mainstreet. Sean Truibhas means shaking off the trousers and donning the tartan, it is a well known theme of Tartan Day. Waipu is making the most of this and some well known locals will be entering into the spirit of “Shaking of their Trousers” in a dramatic way, and some young Highland Dancers will be performing the dance of Sean Truibhas at The Centre Stage. |
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The Centre Stage, Waipu Midday 5-10 JulySaturday 3 April The Centre Stage events will continue. The Centre Stage in the heart of the village will have a series of local scottish themed performances on at midday. Sue Matthews is Co-ordinating the timetable for acts, and anyone interested in performing should contact her on email or 09 4320404, These events will continue Monday 5 – Saturday 10 July. |
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Full Scottish Brunch for $30 at the Clansman Motel 3-11 JulyClaire and peter are the new owners of the Clansman Motel in Waipu and they are getting into the celtic spirit of tartan week by offering a fantastic 3 course Scottish breakfast. 3-11 July 10-2pm.
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Whisky Tasting:On both Saturdays from 1.30-2.30 Waipu’s old Jail (behind the Waipu Museum) will be awash with Whisky – for $10pp you can enjoy learn the finer arts of Whisky tasting – what regions it comes from and how old it is. Waipu’s early founders soon found ways of making whisky locally, and some ended up in the jail, so come and get into the spirit! Stay on and join the Clan Dinner at the Waipu RSA at 5pm. |
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Artntartan Awards$25 gets you a ticket to what is promising to be the event of the year in Waipu. Entries to the Awards are coming in from around New Zealand for the six categories for the Awards. More information is available at the Waipu Museum website www.waipumuseum.com Tickets for this event can be purchased at Eventfinder. Doors open at 7pm with complimentary nibbles and a cash bar. |
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Kirkin o the Tartan Sunday 4 July 10amThe Waipu Presbyterian Church invites all tartan wearers (and others!) to join this special service on Sunday morning at 10am 4 July. After that you can wander across the road to the Waipu Coronation Hall and for a gold coin enjoy some Highland Dancing Competitions. |
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Mid Winter Swim 4 July 3pm Waipu CoveVisitors will have time to grab a cup of coffee and some lunch before heading down to Waipu Cove for the 3pm Mid Winter Swim – join in or watch. Another chance to shake off those trousers as the Pipes play on the hill and warm up with a BBQ organised by the Waipu Surf Club 7.30pm 10 July Clauchan a Choin – Grand Finale Ball
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Rugby and Tartan WeekMen in Kilts Challenge 9 JulyThe Rugby World Cup is just over a year away, and Waipu is extending a welcome to the world to visit at that time – a rich celtic welcome, a strong highland welcome. 2010 Tartan Week will see the unveiling of Waipu’s secret rugby weapon, as our Waipu Men in Kilts challenge Whangarei Old Boys to a game of Rugby at Waipu Caledonian Park at 7.30 on 9 July. The warm up game at 6.30 will be a Golden Oldies Netball Challenge and the evening will be capped off with a a post match function at the Rugby Club. Waipu Tossers will teach the All Blacks a thing or too….
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The English discovered that the tartan and bagpipes of the Scottish Highlanders were more than mere decoration, which is why in 1747 The Act of Proscription forbade the wearing of the tartan.
Waipu’s Rugby Team have always been accompanied by Pipers – when the team comes out, and when tries are scored – the sound of the pipes echoes around the grounds.
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Winter@waipu 2009 programme
Detailed Programme of Events 2009
For more events in Bream Bay – see the Bream Bay Calendar of Events
For blog posts and photos of Winter@waipu – Click here
Introduction to Winter@waipu Winter@Waipu Previous Years
Winter@Waipu is a community festival
In 2009 Winter@waipu begins with the Long Weekend in June and finishes 1 August
Waipu Winter Wellness - a special programme of events led by Barbara Faust-Heffner including introductory Nordic walking or Pilates, a tramp in the Bryndrwyn Hills, twice weekly fitness class and a pampering evening
GoodGround Children’s CompetitionFind the sheep dog’s name Hint: try this website The competition runs until 30 June Email your contact details adn the dog’s name
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Saturday 30 May: 9-1pm Waipu Street MarketThis is great country market in this small Northland village with its unique scottish history – Waipu’s own pipe band will parade at about 11am. If you are interested in having a stall contact Ronnie 09 432 0046 |
![]() Waipu Street Market |
Saturday 30 May: 1-5pm
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![]() Circool Circus, Bream Bay |
Sunday 31 May 9am – 4pm
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Sunday 31 May 3pm Giving Thanks:A Matariki Celebration at Waipu CemeteryTo remember and give thanks for those from our community who are buried in the Waipu Cemetery. We will remember especially those who have died in the past year, as well as honouring others buried there. Bring some flowers/herbs to put on the graves as a symbol of thanks and remembrance: Meet at the Hammon Rd Gate 
When Monday 31 May 3pm This event is part of Matariki Northland Celebrations |
![]() Fraser Sim, Piper |
Get Creative
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3 age groups for entryUnder 12 years 3 CategoriesMy Family Further information from |
5/6 June Mid Winter Festival of FlowersFantastic flowers and exhibits, spot prizes, all welcome to attend or to enter…. There will be plant, produce and craft stalls, a patchwork quilt display and a refreshment area with real home-baked goodies. “Country Life at its best!” Sat. 6 June
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![]() Ruakaka Festival of Flowers ![]() Waipu Hall Market |
Improve your digital photography with Peter Grant
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The course starts with an explanation of the manual camera controls, lens aperture and shutter speed followed by practical exercises, handouts and a review of what has been covered.
“Once students understand how to use their cameras manually and why to choose one exposure over another, then the creative work begins,”Peter said. “Firstly they´ll be pushed to approach a subject in a photojournalistic way, shooting the same thing five different ways. Next we’ll watch something going on and work out the best place and/or time to shoot the action and look at how to tell a story with one photograph.” The course will also cover portraits, macro, textural and landscape photography. Finally Peter will reveal some of his wilder creative techniques. |
Sat 13 June Mid Winter Dinner
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Sunday 14 June 10-2pm
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![]() Local Growers Bob and Sylvia |
Wed 17 June Ruakaka Races Where the Surf meets the TurfRuakaka racecourse is home to Whangarei Racing Club and boasts expansive ocean views and hosts nine meetings per season. The racing surface has a well-earned reputation as New Zealand’s finest ‘all weather’ track. The reliability of the racing surface makes Ruakaka popular with trainers outside the area who base themselves here during the winter months. Access to the beautiful beach to train on makes the racecourse unique, hence its logo: “Where the turf meets the surf!” Information from Karen Houlihan Mobile: 0274 334 498. |
![]() Where the Surf meets the Turf |
7pm Sat 20 June Ladies Night at Artform – Country Women’s Constitutional EveningDoors open 6.30pm, event starts at 7.30 Tickets available: at Waipu Lotto, Waipu Chemist and The Thistle $15pp (Lucky Door Prizes) Proceeds to the Cancer Society |
Bookings: Fae Allen 09 432 0710 Email |
Indian Cooking Workshop with Sumitra
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GoodGround Children’s CompetitionFind the Dog Competition
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A History of Tartan
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TARTAN WEEK IN WAIPU
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Fri 10/Sat 11 July Ruakaka Races
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![]() Where the Surf meets the Turf |
11/12 July Bream Bay
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![]() Waipu Golf Club |
Take a moment to … catch your breath…
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Indian Cooking Workshop with Sumitra
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Plays and Platters with Bogwood Productions6pm Sat 18 July + 6pm Sun 19 JulyThree short comedy dramas from one of the UK’s leading dramatists Michael Frayn – probably best known for ‘Noises Off.’ ‘Alarms’, ‘Look Away Now ‘ and ‘The Messenger’s Assistant’ will collectively be performed as ‘Re – Frayns’ and the company, directed by Huw Turner, will consist of Robert Spriggs, Loraine Rowlands, Nick Green, Andy Wallam, Terri Donaldson, Sally Leftley and Alison Turner. Tickets from Waipu Off Licence from 22 June
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Sunday 19 July 10-2pm
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![]() Bob and Sylvia - local growers |
The Bream Bay News Poetry CompetitionIts on again we decided this was too good a thing to let die. Email your poems to:breambaynews@xtra.co.nz or post them to The Bream Bay News, RD2, Waipu 0582 before Friday 17 July 2009. |
There will be a $50 book voucher prize for each of three different groups:
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7pm 24 July National Poetry Day in WaipuAnnouncement of the winners of the Bream Bay News Poetry Competition. Café 45 by the Four Square in Waipu |
![]() Montana Poetry Day |
Winter@Waipu Wine and Cheese
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Fri. 31 July Ruakaka Races
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![]() Where the Surf meets the Turf |
Sat. 1 August 9-1pm
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![]() Bargains to be had |
Waipu Winter Wellness SeriesWalk the Talk ! - Annabelle White does it … you will love it! - A Nordic Walking Taster Out and about! – Discover the Brynderwyns 3- hour walk from Massey Road to Waipu Cove Fat Attack! – Don’t let the Winter Blues win – Fitness, Fun, Form Time out – you deserve it! …. an evening for relaxation and wellbeing Core Control – Pilates for Beginners |
Tartan Week in Waipu – the Programme of events
Tartan Week in Waipu is growing…
2010 Thursday 1 – 11 july Tartan week in Waipu in 2010
www.waipu-tartan.co.nz
Don your tartan
and join us to celebrate
all things Tartan in Waipu.
More details will be added to this calendar as plans develop, so bookmark us and come back and visit
The Clansman Motel has a Full Scottish Brunch during Tartan Week 3 – 11 July , 10am to 2pm
Three Courses for $30
- Porridge (of course!) served with Cream, Butter and a Drizzle of Drambui, and Juice
- Bacon, Eggs, Black Pudding, Lorne Sausage, Fried Tomato, Haggis, Baked Beans and Tatties and Toast
- Oatcakes and Marmalade, tea and coffee
Thursday 1 July International Tartan DayWhat is International Tartan Day? Sean Truibhas – Shaking off the trousers and Donning the Tartan 12 Midday in Waipu there will be a parade, pipers and highland dancing. Be there to watch will known locals 7.30pm Tarts in TartanThe Launch of Waipu 2011 Calendar Dinner available at RSA from 5.30pm ALL WELCOME
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Saturday 3 JulyComplimentary Haggis Tasting at the Waipu Butcher 11am Waipu Highland Pipe Band will lead a march of Descendents of he Nova Scotian settlers who came to New Zealand will March along with other clans and tartan wearers. March begins at the Pizza Barn 12pm Performances at The Centre Stage at entrance to Caledonian Park 1.30-2.30 pm Whisky Tasting $10pp |
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Sat 3 July continued 4.45pm till 7.30pm Clan Dinnerat the Waipu RSA – all welcome Cost: $30 per head The Waipu Caledonian Society and Clan MacLean Association are co-hosting the annual Clans Dinner where everyone is invited to attend and enjoy an important part of Tartan Week by: · Ian McLean, President of Clan MacLean Association of NZ The dinner is being held earlier this year so as not to clash with the ‘Art’nTartan’ Wearable Art Awards which is being held at 8.00pm at the Coronation Hall. Bookings: [You may like to pay by direct debit - 12-3099-0694105-00 Waipu Caledonian Society. Ref 2010 Clan Dinner; and email or phone to confirm this or pay at the dinner] |
As part of Tartan Week An invitation to all |
stop press – SOLD OUTArt’nTartan
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Buy your tickets to ArtnTartan early to avoid disappointment from EventFinder |
Sunday 4 July9.30 Highland Dancing Competitions in Coronation Hall, Waipu 10am The Kirkin’ o the Tartan Waipu Presbyterian Church invites all tartan wearers (and others!) to join this special service.
3pm Mid Winter Swim and Barbecue at Waipu Cove
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Monday 5 July – Mid-day Centre Stage EventsMonday 5th July HOMESPUN TARTAN CEILIDHWe will open up our regular Monday evening Country Dancing night as a Ceilidh for Tartan Week 7.00 – 10.00 p.m. Coronation Hall A mix of music and dance, offers of “items” welcome $5.00 per person with a small plate for the supper table $2.00 for accompanied children Enquiries to Steve or Elaine 432 0532 Tuesday 6 July – Mid-day Centre Stage EventsWednesday 7 July – Mid-day Centre Stage Events
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Friday 9 July|
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Check out this cool |
Saturday 10 JulyComplimentary Haggis Tasting at the Waipu Butcher 11am – Waipu Street March with Waipu’s own Pipe Band Mid-day Centre Stage Events 1.30-2.30 pm Whisky Tasting – The Experience 7.oopm Grand Finale Ball – Clauchan a Choin Band: the irrepressible Celtic Flyers -
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Sunday 11 July 11-3pmAll good things must end, but this year The Master Card All Black Road Showat Waipu Caledonian Park Free Entry fun for all the family
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The History Behind Tartan Day
- Winter news from the Waipu Caledonian Society
- Tarts in Tartan - Waipu 2011 Calendar now available
- Photos from Tartan Week 2010
- More Tartan Week Videos on You Tube
- All Blacks At Waipu Tossing the Caber
- Waipu Artntartan on You Tube
- Waipu | Kilts and Rugby, and the Kiwi Way
- Rugby in Kilts this Friday
- See the All Blacks as you’ve never seen them before… in Waipu
- High Jinks and Sword Dances at Waipu Tartan Day
Winter@waipu Archives

snow at Artform

snow at Artform
2008
3 months of winter events are organised and ready to go for the 4th annual Winter@Waipu Festival. This small Northland community is awash with creativity and well known for its strong celtic spirit. Set near some of the best beaches in Northland, it is a well known summer playground, and the Winter@Waipu festival ensures it remains a great destination for a mid winter break.
Waipu is known as the Celtic Heart of Bream Bay and the town is proud of its Scots/Nova Scotian heritage, something that is clear when you enter the recently redesigned Waipu Museum. It is 150 years since the arrival in NZ of the Breadalbane, one of the ships that brought the Scottish pioneers to Waipu.

Waipu Pipe Band
The Winter programme kicks off on the June long weekend with the usual popular markets, but this year the descendents of the Breadalbane will also parade down the street behind Waipu’s Pipe Band. On Sunday 3pm the sound of a karanga and the pipes will ring out at the the Waipu Cemetery welcoming people to remember those who have died in the past year, as well as the Breadalbane descendents, as part of the Matariki celebrations in Northland.
To top off the weekend celebrations one of the greatest contemporary Celtic bands – The Battlefield Band will perform once again at Forum North in Whangarei, 2pm on Monday 2 June. They will be in NZ working with the Waipu Museum to write a musical about the great migration that led to the Scottish settlement of Waipu.

Fiona Southern Training
There are events every weekend in June – you can join others for a cycle along the beach or a mid winter swim, you can learn scottish Country Dancing. Also on offer is the Mid winter festival of flowers, and a pampering day at Zenford Lodge, along with the chance to enjoyo a hangi at the Waipu Hotel or a mid winter dinner and party at Artform.
2007
Winter@Waipu is once again providing a hotspot of winter activities in Northland. This small community has for the last three years hosted a 3 month long winter festival with events on most weekends – everything from cycling to drama, from Scottish Country Dancing to Line Dancing, from markets to busking.
Waipu was settled over 150 years ago when hundreds left the Scottish Highlands in search of paradise. Their amazing journey took them to Nova Scotia and Australia before landing in Auckland and moving north to Waipu. Led by the Reverend Norman McLeod they were a determined community, overcoming loss, poverty, famine and disease, building their own ships and travelling, unassisted, to the “ends of the earth” in search of a better way of life.
This year Winter@Waipu celebrates some of this story with a number of key events including 8 performances of The Rocking Cave by James McNeish.

Bogwood Productions
However as organiser Rosemary Neave comments, “Waipu is not just about Scots and bagpipes – we have many talented locals who are part of Winter@Waipu festival.” Bogwood Productions will again be producing a series of short plays to be performed around dinner in Waipu’s Artform restaurant by local Bogwood Productions, there will be a poetry competition and performance, writing workshops, a mid winter dinner and an opportunity to celebrate Matariki with a hangi and kapa haka performances at the Waipu Hotel
For those who enjoy a spot of exercise you can bike on the beach with champion cyclist Fiona Southorn, you can have a go at Nordic Walking, Line Dancing or Scottish Country dancing or join the annual 3/6km fun walk around Waipu.
Rosemary feels that Winter at Waipu has helped to create a buzz in the off season in Waipu.
“There is something every week to get involved in for locals as well as those who want a winter break away. And as well as all these activities, there are still our wonderful empty beaches to stroll along – what more could you want?”
More information:

James McNeish and Lauchie McLean
1. The Rocking Cave by well known New Zealand playwright James McNeish is loosely based on the early Scottish migration story, and will be produced for the first time in Waipu There will be 8 performances of the play over two weeks, James McNeish said he regarded the upcoming production of his play as the most significant since it was first produced at the Mercury Theatre in Auckland. He said he felt the story of Norman McLeod had a relevance to New Zealand’s history and should be recognised as not just a local story, but also a national one. For McNeish “It is a story that transcends place. It is bigger than Waipu.”
Alistair Williams, who played Norman McLeod in the Grand Pageant produced by Lachie for Waipu’s 150th anniversary in 2003, will spend a term away from his job as deputy principal of Marlborough Boys High School to live in Waipu and rehearse for the part of the ‘Minister’.
Waulking Songs will be heard again for the first time in over a hundred years – Six local women women will learn some of these old rhythmic songs, which were sung regularly by Waipu’s early Nova Scotian settlers at working bees or frolics as they were called.

Tartan Day at Waipu
2. Tartan Day: Waipu celebrates International Tartan Day 7 July – shops hand out shortbread to those who have worn tartan for the day, there is a market and school children are invited to busk. Waipu’s own Highland Pipe band will parade in the morning and the Museum will have an live day with highland dancing, and a reception for the descendents of The Spray
3. The Spray was the 4th of the 6 ships to bring the Nova Scotians to Waipu, and it arrived 150 years ago in June 2007. The Waipu Museum will be having a special celebration of this on Tartan Day 7 July – there will be a live day a the museum and a special recognition of the descendents of those who came on the Spray.
The Spray sailed from Cape Breton in Nova Scotia captained by John Duncan. She had 89 passengers and among the names on the manifest were Cameron, Campbell, Finlayson, McNabb, McMillan, Munro, Urquhart. Several were large family groups including McKenzie (there were 29 of them), Matheson (11) and Stewart (13). McLennan and McLean, who had missed the sailing of the Gertrude were reunited with their wives and children who had sailed earlier.
Many of these settled in Waipu and Whangarei Heads, but others also went to Mangawhai, Purua, and Kaiwaka areas.

The Battlefield Band
4. The Battlefield Band are said to be the most famous celtic band in the world. They have mixed the old songs with new self-penned material, playing them in a unique fusion of ancient and modern instruments – bagpipe, fiddle, synthesiser, guitar, cittern, flute, badhran and accordian. They will play at Forum North 2pm on Sunday 10 June as part of the Waipu Museum’s aim of promoting Waipu as a Celtic music heartland.
2006 press release 1
The first month of the Winter@Waipu festival is set to kick off on 3 June with Waipu’s well known Street market, and Monthly market in the morning and the local rugby club playing a home game against Hikurangi in the afternoon. The Waipu Highland band will as usual be at both events – giving that Scottish flavour to the day. On Sunday the Waipu Antiques and Collectables Fair is on in the Hall – with lots for aspiring treasure hunters to explore.
If you have always wanted to learn Scottish Country Dancing - now is your chance – there is a beginners day school on 10 June, and a Ceilidh that night to practice your steps and if you want a bit more of an adrenalin rush you can try your hand at Caving on every Sunday morning at Waipu Caves.
Bogwood Production of Lost in Space – a series of three plays will have its first performance at Artform Restaurant on 25 June, and budding writers are challenged with several competitions – children will be working on their stories for the Short Story competition, and the Bream Bay News is running a poetry competition in preparation for National Poetry day in July. On the 17 June Waipu Primary are challenging teams to gather for a Quiz night challenge.
Winter Solstice - the shortest day is 21/22 June this year – Artform Restaurant are hosting a Midwinter Dinner fundraiser for the local hall, and the Waipu surf club is inviting people to brave the waters at the annual midwinter dip on 18 June.
Looking ahead to next month – the 1 July is International Tartan Day, and Waipu is inviting everyone to dust off their kilts, scarves and tartan accessories and join the fun.
2006 press release 2

Tartan Day in Waipu
International Tartan Day to be celebrated in Waipu on 1 July
“The Wearing of All Tartan is Banned!” This might have been the headline in a local paper in 1747 – because that was the year the British made wearing tartan a crime punishable with 7 years transportation. On 1 July 1782 the ban was lifted and that date has often been celebrated as International Tartan Day.
International Tartan Day kicks off the second month of Winter@Waipu festivities, and Waipu is inviting people to dust off their kilts, and scarves and come and celebrate Tartan Day in Waipu – Northland’s foremost scottish village. Tartan wearers will be able to claim a free shortbread in many stores. There will be a market in the Hall, special displays at the Waipu Museum and late morning the Waipu Highland Band will parade down the main street.
All the local shops will be open on Saturday and many will be having Winter specials. There will also be five $50 prizes for people shopping in Waipu over the next few weeks – better odds than Lotto!
‘Waipu Buskers’ will also be about on Saturday morning on the main street – we are inviting any school children who would like to share their talents – dancing, singing, piping, guitars, juggling – to have a go. They can book a space (no charge) by phoning Ronnie on 432 0046
Winter@Waipu festivities will continue through July.
- Those with a literary bent will be interested in the Workshop for those interested in writing for children with published author Sue Welford on 15/16 July, and Montana National Poetry day celebrated on 21 July with an evening at Artform Restaurant – you are invited to read your own poetry, or your favourite author, or just enjoy listening to others. The second performance of Bogwood Productions three plays will be performed at Artform on 30 July at Artform.
- For the Artistic amongst us there is the Waipu on Canvas exhibition at Melody Lodge, and the Paint Ya Jeans competition closes on 28 July and entries will be displayed in Artform after that.
- and for others there is a chance to taste some New Zealand Reds at the Off Licence on 19 July, an open day at Heavenly Heights Gardens on 26 July when the spring bulbs and camelias will be at their best, and a Coffee Ceilidh on 30 July
- You too can Dance like the Stars - On Sunday afternoons from 23 July there is a 10 week course led by professionals Chris and Anne Leitch.
2005 press release
The Waipu Business and Promotions Group plan to develop a series of creative events through the winter period in Waipu around the brand Winter@Waipu, aiming to build up a tradition of winter events to promote Waipu in the off season.
“In the summer people flock to the area, but in the winter, we are not seen as holiday destination.” says organiser Rosemary Neave, “However walks on the beach, horse riding, relaxing with friends around a fire, cruising art galleries and caf√©s are all compelling winter images, and being just one and a half hours north of Auckland, Bream Bay is a perfect place for a short break.”
The Business Association hopes that those who already have events in the winter period will join this joint promotion effort, and they are also hoping that other individuals and groups will see this as an opportunity to organise an event as part of Winter@Waipu.
Ideas in the pipeline include – arts weekends, food and wine events, poetry evenings, Mid Winter swim, Marae visit, Tournaments, jazz evenings, horse trekking, fun run/walk…. If you are a group with an idea for a fundraiser or event in June July or August contact Rosemary Neave on 4321234







































