‘Historic’: Manukau to host National Brass Band Champs

The New Zealand National Brass Band Championships will be held in South Auckland for the first time in its 144-year history.

It has been dubbed the Pacific Festival of Brass because this year’s contest will include bands from Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Tonga.

Festival Coordinator/Community Outreach Will Kingi says holding the event in the heart of Manukau highlights growing diverse interest in brass music.

“Considering the history of this event, (it is) really meaningful. I think it shows a really big shift in terms of the sort of outreach the brass bands community wants to do.

“When we think of brass bands especially throughout New Zealand it’s a very rural thing, it’s very niche as well. (It’s a) ‘if you know, you know’ kind of thing right.

“Whereas this year, having it in South Auckland and investing a lot into the community outreach aspect of it, really shows that they want to grow this community but also make people aware of its historical significance.”

Maamaloa Brass from Auckland played at the 2022 National Championships in Wellington. Photo/Facebook

Final preparations for the festival are underway at the Due Drops Centre which will host 34 bands competing across five categories, including solo and ensembles sections.

Musical director, euphonium player, and veteran competitor, Linda Filimoehala is conducting for a few bands competing and will be entering the solo section.

“It’s pretty cool for the brass band community to actually come in and hear the talent of South Auckland. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

This round is also her first go at adjudicating the Youth section and she hopes to help bridge Pacific brass talents to a world of opportunities.

“As much as I appreciate music in church and everything that happens around church, I just want them to know that there is a world outside of church and that there are so many opportunities for them outside,” she says.

“There are so many talented brass players in New Zealand, especially in Auckland. I hear them in church and I’m like, ‘oh I want you to play for me!’

“But I know that if they see a lot of us being a part of this, it would inspire them to step out and explore the boundaries of their creativity.”

The “Hinemoa” New Zealand Band 1903. Photo/Invercargill City Library & Archives

On April 17, 1880, the inaugural competition took place in the Christchurch Drill Hall in front of 2500 spectators. Captain W.E. Heywood's Invercargill Garrison Band emerged victorious from a field of six competing bands, selected by the crowd.

Now, the national tournament is conducted over five days in July each year and features Junior and Open solo and ensemble competitions, a Street March, a Sacred Item/Hymn, Test selection, and Own Choice selection for bands in grades A to D and Youth.

There is also a gala concert or workshops to cap up the contest.

Students from the prestigious boys’ school Tupou College in Tonga will compete in the B Grade of the championships with some band members just 12 years old.

Both Filimoehala and Kingi have praised the undoubtedly gifted Tongan students and believe their skills and hard work will shine in the competition.

Coming off the back of the successful Tongan brass band film and its play adaptation, Red, White, and Brass, Kingi says Tonga has always been at the frontline of the brass movement for Pacific peoples.

“Because of our Tongan community, they’ve really opened the door in that brass space which is very much dominated by, you know, it’s a very Kiwi space. But because of them, they’ve made it a little bit easier for other Pasifika people.

“Anyone that’s brown can come into this space and be like, ‘oh actually, this is really beautiful music’.”

The Kumeu Brass Band was established in 1948 and is now under the baton of Linda Filimoehala (front centre). Photo/KumeuBrass

Filimoehala has been playing with brass bands for 21 years and competing at the national level since 2008.

She says the pressures of competition are building, but has faith in her bands’ abilities and adds that performing on “home turf” is all about bringing the best of their goods.

“Every year I’m just always trying to get a little bit better, but we’re in Auckland and I feel like I need to up my game because this is home turf.

“And then we’re in South Auckland, so then it’s just like I need to do our people proud. I feel like there’s a little bit more pressure this year than there has been in other years.”

Funded by a combination of granting bodies including Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, Four Winds, and Manurewa Local Boards, Kingi says they’ve been blessed with key partnerships and support.

Kingi, who has been in his role for just over a year, believes brass bands are ready to be accepted as part of New Zealand’s musical identity.

“In my mind, brass bands are kind of on the same level as Te Matatini and Polyfest in terms of their importance to New Zealand culture.

"I think there’s enough of that pie, there’s enough space in New Zealand for all of those things to be important. Brass bands are lifting their profile.”

The National Brass Band Championships kicks off 10 July at the Manukau Due Drops Events Centre - tickets available here.