The New Zealand Brass Band Championships is one of the world’s oldest music competitions.
The first contest was held in the Christchurch Drill Hall on the 17th of April 1880 with an audience of 2500 people. Six bands competed, and the audience chose the winner – the Invercargill Garrison Band, under the command of Captain W.E. Heywood.
These days the national contest is held annually in July over five days and includes Junior and Open solo and Ensemble competitions, a Sacred Item/Hymn, Test selection and Own Choice selection for bands in each grade (A, B, C, D, and Youth), plus a Street March. The contest sometimes concludes with a gala concert or workshops.
Contest Results
2027, 7 to 11 July, in Invercargill
Band events in the Civic Theatre and SIT Centrestage Theatre. Contact Contest Administrator bbanzeo@gmail.com
2026 National Championships
The championship will be held in Wellington from Wednesday, 8 to Sunday, 12 April. The band events will be held in the Michael Fowler Centre and the Wellington Opera House.
Dates to note:
Monday 20 October 2025 - the announcement of the test music and release of the entry forms.
Saturday 7 February 2026 - closing date for contest entries.
Wednesday 25 March 2026 - Draw released for all events.
For more information, please contact the Contest Administrator at bbanzeo@gmail.com
Thank you to the sponsors of the 2025 National Championships
