Highland Games on 2 January 2012
Just a reminder that the Waipu Highland Games in 2012 will be on the 2 January 2012 not the 1 January as is usually the case. As Noel Robinson reminded me:
In keeping with Waipu traditions the Games are never held on 1 January when it falls on a Sunday. It is widely belived that was simply because of the strong Presbyterian Ideals of the settlers and whilst that is no doubt relevant, although the first Games were not held for nearly 20 years after the settlers arrived, it was because the Annual Communion Service of the Waipu Presbyterian Church was always held on the first Sunday of the New Year.
These days Communion is held more frequently but the tradition of the Games date remains. In fact the hsitory of the Waipu Caledonian Society is linked to the Church in two other ways also. The present chucrh was built in 1871 – the same year as the first Games of the Caledonian Society and the Minister of the Church has always been the Padre to the Society.
Thanks for that Noel – for more on the Games, check out their Website
Waipu Highland Games
Waipu Highland Games 2011
A fantastic summer day for this year’s games in the Caledonian Park. Thousands turned up to enjoy the day out. I spent a happy day watching the Fiddling Competition and the Tartan in the Park, only sneaking out to watch the massed pipe bands and highland fling and buy a scottish pie. This year there was shade for the fiddling competition watchers which was great.
Scroll down for photos by Sandra Bogart (Fiddling and Fashion) nd Marilyn Cox and daughter Ina of Bream Bay News – did you know you can read it online?
Sandra Bogart’s photos of the Fiddling and Fashion at Waipu games
Christmas and New Year festivities in Waipu and Bream Bay
There is lots to do in Waipu and Bream Bay over the Christmas/New Year period, here is some dates to help you keep track:
- Waipu Community Carols 8pm Sunday 19 December - come early for a seat, or bring a chair and sit outside. Better still – join the choir to guarantee a lot of fun and a seat - dates of practices
- Waipu Christmas Parade 7pm Christmas Eve 24 December – the official start of the summer for most of us, and the only parade we know of on Christmas Eve! Dress for the occasion and you could win $50 for the best dressed onlooker prize. To enter a float - info here
- Waipu Highland Games 1 January: the gates open at 8.30 – march of the clans at 9.30 full programme and prices here from $15pp
- Waipu Cove Surf Club Day 2 January - fun for the whole family with the big dig, sandcastle competition, nipper fun events, Miss waipu and more… Join the traditional 7.30 start – the run from the Waipu Hotel to the Cove or the swim from Langs Beach to Waipu Cove.
- Summer Racing Carnival at Ruakaka – 5 and 19 January – fun for the whole family where the surf meets the turf! More info
Winter news from the Waipu Caledonian Society
email Wayne to get the Caledonian email list directly – here is a summary of the latest email
2011 Games Host Clan – Clan MacLean chief to visit Waipu – Volunteers for Games – International Highland Games – Tartan Week Read more
Waipu Highland Games – lots of images, lots of fun
Waipu is my home, but most years at New Years I am away camping. For the first for many years, we came home to check out the 2009 Waipu Highland Games. It was brilliant weather, and about 6,000 turned up to enjoy the day. Here some photos of the day: The Parade of the Clans, Games Photos, Fiddling Competition, Tartan in the Park.
Below that there is the report of this years games from the organisers, the Caledonian Society. Read more
Waipu Highland Games – the heavyweights
2009 Waipu Highland Games
These photos have been posted on flicker Рits a great collection of photos of the heavyweight competition by Kris  РIrkstyle on Flicker.
Here is a report of the Competition and the results from the Caledonian Newsletter:
2010 Waipu Games: New Zealand Highland Games Championships Read more
Calling all fiddlers….
The Waipu Highland Games as a host of activities for people during the day on January 1 РEverything from Tartan fashion in the park, heavy weight competition with caber tossing and all the rest, Highland Flings and pipers galore, athletics competitions Рthere is fun for all the family.  You can avoid the crowds and buy your tickets before you come - tickets here
Scottish Fiddle Competition
This year the Waipu Caledonian Society is proud to announce the reintroduction of a fiddling competition that has not been held since early years of the 20th Century. We are confident this will become a vibrant part of the events at the Waipu Games for many years to come.  Read more about this here
The last Scottish Fiddling Competition was just before the First World War according to the old minutes, the latest is being sponsored by the Clan Donald Society on behalf of the Caledonian Society.
Waipu Caledonian Games – Clan Maclean elected to Host 2010
The Clan Maclean Association of New Zealand is thrilled to have been chosen as the Host Clan for the 139th Highland Games of the Waipu Caledonian Society on New Year’s Day 2010. Read more
Tartan in the Park in Waipu
Tartan in the Park©
is a competition for
“Fun & Fashionable Tartanwear”
We invite you to enter!
We aim to show the public that Tartan is a contemporary fabric that can be worn in a multitude of styles in the 21st century! Set your imagination free & enter your design.
Design  -  Show  -   Model  Р  Sew
Or just buy an outfit.
Let your imagination soar. It’s all for fun!
Our judges will determine the winners based on the following criteria:
- Knowledge of Tartan Used
- Style & Originality
- Grooming & Deportment
Entry forms will be available on www.highlandgames.co.nz
Entries will also be taken on the day at the Clan MacLean Association of NZ tent.
Ring 09 4239145/ 09 4377155  or email
Held in conjunction with The Waipu Highland Games January 1 2010
Caledonian Park, Waipu
Highland Games featured on Air New Zealand billboards
Air New Zealand has this poster advertising the Waipu Highland Games on its billboards in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
“Through to the end of August we’re showcasing some lesser known and varied New Zealand events that kiwis can get out and see,”
said Lara Harrison a media liaison for the airline.
