Hororātā Highland Games

For 15 years the Games have brought a little bit of Scotland to Hororātā, with pipe bands, Highland dancing, heavy athletes, clans, Scottish food and plenty of opportunities to have a go yourself.

But at the heart of the Games has always been our community. Hundreds of volunteers and local groups come together to make the event happen, while thousands of visitors travel to Hororātā to share in the day.

Join us on Saturday 7 November as we celebrate 15 years of Highland Heart and Kiwi Spirit.

Tickets are on sale now and Under 16s are free.

The Hororata Highland Games attracts over 300 competitors who compete in Highland Dancing, Piping and Drumming, Tug O’ War, Highland Spin (a fleece to garment challenge), Small Bore Shooting, Amateur Scottish heavy athletics (men’s and women’s) and the Oceania Heavyweight Championship (professional Scottish heavy athletics). Competitors come from throughout New Zealand and internationally to compete.

Visitors don’t come just to sit on the bleachers, but all ages can have a go themselves in modified or replicas of the competitive events. Have A Go events include the Junior Warriors, Caber or Sheath toss, Lightweight Farmers Walk, Small Bore Shooting, Archery, Kilted Mile, Haggis Hurl and the Hororata Pie Eating Competition. Most of these events are free to participate in.

The event hosts over 100 stalls offering quality merchandise and produce. In the stalls area there is a children’s fairground, music entertainment and Scottish country dancing. Many stalls have a Taste of Scotland on offer. Visitors discover Scottish heritage and their ancestry in Clan Lane.