139th Waipu Highland Games

**###KILTEDKIWI###** · 2nd January 10, 10:21 PM

G'day mens and womans.

Another year rolls round, and another trip to Waipu for their annual games.

Brief history lesson on Waipu: extracted from encylopedia kiltedkiwia.

Basically, it was settled by a bunch of indecisive Jocks, who travelled first to Nova Scotia, then Australia, and finally settled in the north of New Zealand, at the utter most extreme end from which many of their countrymen had settled (not a bad decision really, considering the weather)

The avenue of clans is a relatively small affair, a few retailers, and approx 10 clan tents, oh and this year, someone selling, tartan tatt and cr@p...

The crowd seemed down from previous years...

The am's waiting for their turn, I dont know if you can see the variations of wear, from shorts to kilts, but one of them is wearing, what appears to be a formal sporran?

The heavies chucking stuff

yes

oh...

nope.

Massed band leaving

I'm sure that there werent as many band members present this year

Wear for the day, wide hat due to the small burn time (11 mins) and Southland safety shoes (barefeet)

**###KILTEDKIWI###** · 2nd January 10, 10:21 PM

Why walk, when the help can carry you.

Bloody hot day day (29 C), so went around Waipu cove and Langs beach on the way home for a swim.

Looking North East, with Whangarei Heads in the background.

oh and clan stuff as well (completely the wrong side, so all the photos were junk..)

**Sammac** · 2nd January 10, 11:53 PM

Nice pics, makes me look forward to the upcoming games this summer. But still 5 months away till the first one.

**Highlander31** · 3rd January 10, 03:24 AM

Nice photos. Sounds like a good day. Why do you think the crowds were smaller this year? The economic slowdown?

**David Dalglish** · 3rd January 10, 03:41 AM

Nice Photo's

**Jock Scot** · 3rd January 10, 04:01 AM

Considering the weather it all looks pretty traditional.I note that there are a few MacLeods about. Super pictures, thank you for sharing them.

**McClef** · 3rd January 10, 05:29 AM

Good to see kilts in the Antipodes!

**cessna152towser** · 3rd January 10, 07:13 AM

Fabulous pics, Phil, its great to see you in your Cunningham tartan and wonderful to see people enjoying highland games in the warm sunshine when we are surrounded by snow here in Scotland. You really whetted my appetite for the upcoming season's games back home, just another four months till the Scottish season starts at the beginning of May.

**BEEDEE** · 3rd January 10, 08:06 AM

Phil - great photos, will have to get there some day when I am back visiting family.

Brian

**###KILTEDKIWI###** · 3rd January 10, 01:20 PM

Considering the weather it all looks pretty traditional.I note that there are a few MacLeods about. Super pictures, thank you for sharing them.

...Waipu was the centre of a significant Presbyterian settlement led by Rev. Norman McLeod, a Presbyterian Minister who led his people from the Highlands of Scotland to New Zealand via St. Ann's, Nova Scotia and Australia. Five shiploads containing over 800 settlers arrived at Waipu in the 1850s...

There are always a large number of Mcleods present, also they seem to be one of the more organised clan org's in this country. (and largest)
It is interesting talking to them, as my mother is a Mcleod and we are from the other end of NZ.

Good to see kilts in the Antipodes!

its funny as i don't think there as many kilt wearers there this either.

Nice photos. Sounds like a good day. Why do you think the crowds were smaller this year? The economic slowdown?

in all honesty I dont know, as silly as it sounds, the heat is a bit of a killer, and if you don't take your own shelter, well you're a piece of crispy bacon by the end of the day.

We got there about 1.5 hours later than normal, and easily found parking and space to put up some shelter around the ring, last year was a bit of a bun fight to get anywhere.