Established in 1931, the Brass Band Association of New Zealand (BBANZ) is a not-for-profit charitable organisation that works on behalf of 58 community brass bands and their 2002 members. We’re here to strengthen our banding community and help it grow for generations to come.
Band members range in age from six to 90 years of age. More than 27% of band members are under the age of 23 years.
Each year the Band Association organises the National Brass Band Championships, community education workshops, the National Secondary School Brass Band training camp and the National Youth Band training camp and concert tour. Periodically, a National Band is formed to perform concerts in New Zealand and overseas or compete in international contests.
Our Priorities
BBANZ is here to support bands and the people behind them.
Our priorities include membership, youth, communication, finances, national contests, community education and National Representative Bands.
How we can help you and your band
Connect you with bands across New Zealand and offers support during office hours and beyond.
Answer your questions or put you in touch with someone who can.
Help with event enquiries and research into the history of bands and individuals.
Accept historical donations and work with the National Library to preserve archives and support public access.
Share resources from training courses on topics such as fundraising.
Provide letters supporting visa and grant applications, including confirmation of BBANZ affiliation.
Promote your events through its website, Facebook and The Mouthpiece.
Provide free Police vetting for bands.
Oversee annual events for all ages, including workshops, youth activities and masters’ events for players, tutors, conductors and administrators.
Support training needs for bands and District Associations through its Director of Education.
Sees funding to keep events affordable.
Maintain a professional public presence with clear, useful information.
Provide a forum for sharing ideas.
Plan for the future of brass banding.
Our Strategic Plan
Our strategic plan sets out how we’ll support our bands, strengthen our community and help brass banding thrive across New Zealand.
Our History
We have been involved in supporting and developing brass bands and brass musicians in the community since 1931. Discover the milestones that have shaped our story and how banding in New Zealand all began.
Our Life Members
Life membership recognises outstanding service to BBANZ and New Zealand’s brass band community. We’re proud to honour the people whose dedication has helped shape our association and strengthen banding across the country.
Life Members
Graeme Aldridge MNZM
Betty Bremner
Trevor Bremner MNZM
Kevin Dell ONZM
Stephen Leader
Ian Levien QSM
Leigh Martin, KSM, JP
Bill Platt
Evan Sayer
Dianne Smeehuyzen MNZM, JP
Denis Spurdle
Murray Warrington MNZMent...
Life Members who have served BBANZ
JF Allen
GH Bailey
RE Belgrave
A Brieseman OBE JP
RM Brooker
Tony Cowan BEM, JP
Trevor Cudby
W Currie
Graham Dick
J Drew
RJ Estall
HCA Fox
WL Francis
NG Goffin
EJ Gohns
T Goodall
Drummer Hall
ER Holden
RB Hean
A Homer
KL Jarrett MBE
Mrs Beverley Kench
Mrs C Kendall
JC King
WS King
GB Knowles
A G (Tony) Lewis MNZM
Riki McDonnell QSM
WP MacLauchlin
H Nielson
E Ormrod (sen)
JG Osborne
E Palliser
J Rafferty
WV Siddall
R Simpson
P Skoglund
KGL Smith MBE
Rodney Sutton MBE, JP
T Taylor OSM
LE Thorne QSM
FJ Turner
RS Waterston
BBANZ Charitable Trust
The Brass Band Association of New Zealand Charitable Trust supports the activities of the Brass Band Association of New Zealand and undertakes, promotes, or assists in the music education of brass bands or their members at every level.
Support Us
Donation and payroll giving information.
