Hororata Highland Games 2022
The Hororata Highland Games were not held last year due to the Covid restrictions, but they were certainly back with immense success on Saturday 5th November with 20 bands from across the South Island, 29 International and New Zealand Heavy Athletes, 80 Highland Dancers, 25 Clans and associated groups, 120 stalls plus 30 food stalls and a crowd of over 11,000 people.
Crowd attendance of 11,000 exceeded the forecasted 10,000.
Heavy athletes from Australia and New Zealand battled for the Oceania Heavyweight Championship over eight disciplines including the Caber Toss and the Hororata Stones. The Games also hosted the New Zealand Heavyweight Championship and the Women’s Championship.
Have A Go again proved to be one of the most popular activities. People of all ages can access the arena to see if they can toss a caber, play the pipes, or win the tug of war.
St Andrews Square – Clan venue. Entertainment provided by Willie McArthur.
Clan Donald member, Sheila Cuthbertson gave a spinning demonstration in the Clan area.
Clan Donald had a team of ten present to assist throughout the day, including Tom and Lynnette McDonald from Auckland and Roz McKechnie from Otago. A steady stream of visitors including Clan Donald Canterbury members, friends and those who wished to discuss and further explore their Scottish heritage kept us busy. We recruited ten new members – eight families and two individuals.
Tom McDonald (North Island Commissioner for Clan Donald) and Roz McKechnie (Clan Donald Otago)
Studying the programme while Mum discusses her heritage.
Pictured (left to right) Brent Tomlinson (Clan Donald Canterbury), Rob McDonald, Ann Smith (President Clan Donald Canterbury), Terry McDonald, and Maggie Donald (Secretary Clan Donald Canterbury).
Looking great in their medieval costumes are Martin and Joanne Biddle.
Clan Donald Canterbury Secretary, Maggie Donald proudly carried our Clan Donald banner into the main arena along with the other banner bearers and the mass bands at midday for the Official Ceremony. This included a welcome form fourth generation Hororata resident, Kate Foster who was the 2022 Chieftain. Kate was the first local to be Chieftain. She spoke of the pride she has in her community and the fundraising to develop the Hororata Hall and the land around it into a community hub.
Clan Donald banner bearer, Maggie Donald.
Bands parading in the main arena.
As in previous years, there were a vast range of activities, competitions, displays, stalls to view and over thirty food trucks and coffee carts catering to the large crowd. The haggis burgers were well recommended. And were extremely popular, as by the time the writer was free for a late lunch, the burgers were sold out. Will try again next year!
Alan MacDonald
Clan Donald Canterbury