 The Waipu Caledonian Society has made the bold call to run the iconic Waipu Highland Games on New Year’s Eve from now on, rather than the traditional New Year’s Day. That means there will be two Games this year, the 151st Games, which was on 1 January and the 152nd Games that will be on 31 December during the transition period. Waipu Highland Games chieftain Ted Hart is quietly optimistic that people will embrace the change of date and the rationale behind the move.  “I presented the idea to the AGM last year. It originally came from a vendor because of the issues around getting staff to run the stalls and having to pay double time, and that it would be so much better if it (the games) were not on New Year’s Day. And the idea grew from there. “The main catalyst was the Scottish Highland Heavyweight events (hammer throwing, rock throwing, caber tossing etc) and the running of the Heavyweights New Zealand Championship. We’ve been really struggling to get guys to the event, because of the (travel) cost, and the time of year.”  The 150th Games, a significant milestone only attracted four open heavies and five novices, which usually has 20 in the competition. Something had to be done to attract competitors to the Games, one of the longest running in the southern hemisphere; an event that has put Waipu on the map all these years. The little Scotland of the North has always been a draw card for Highland Dancing as well as piping, drumming and the athletics events. The decision was made to create a circuit of three heavyweights events to accumulate points. The circuit would include Paeroa Highland Games in February, the Hororata Highland Games (Canterbury) in November and Waipu (now 31 December) with the highest points and championship awarded at the Waipu games The other factor was the lack of volunteers, because people naturally wanted to have a celebration on New Year’s Eve. What the organisers had been finding increasingly was that people weren’t turning up to the events until 11am, because they’d been celebrating the night before. “Most of the main events are over by then, so that has been an issue,” Ted said. Also, the costs for services such as the toilets was becoming costly and inconvenient due to the fact they had to be delivered early because of the public holiday. “So there have been a whole of factors. It was a unanimous decision with two (committee members) abstaining from voting. There was no ‘selling’ of the idea needed. Everyone was in favour of the dealing with these issues and getting on with it. “All in all, this will be a sea change for us. Until we do it we don’t know how it’s going to go. But the feedback we’ve had is that it could suit people better. We have eight (heavyweights) competitors committed to coming back this year.” The celidh and hogmanay celebration would be on New Year’s Eve following the Games. “We hope that this will suit the public better as far as attendance at the games.” Waipu Highland Games secretary Kelly Sandford said the move was a response to a change in society. “We’ve been noticing this societal change for years. It’s harder to get people involved. Once upon a time the organisers (committee members) were on farms and they had the flexibility of time. “It’s not the same now. Both parents are working fulltime in jobs (offsite) and their kids are busy. There’s also so much more involved in and around employment laws with working on a public holiday. It’s difficult to get vendors and for people to help on the day. So something had to change... “So we’ve decided to try it this year (31 December 2024). We can always move it back if it doesn’t work for people. “I would expect the least impact on the dancing and piping, and would hope it could be of some benefit especially for the teenage/young people who like to have a good time on New Year’s eve. If they come and compete 31 December, and have the competition out of the way, that means they can relax New Year’s Day.”  Scotdance NZ President and organiser of the Highland Dancing competition Mark Forshaw said he could understand the organisers wanting to try something new.  “Our local dancers are very loyal and supportive so it’s not anticipated that the change will affect the number of entrants. “The possible downside is that New Year’s Eve day is still a work day for some people – it’s a Tuesday this year, although some people will be on holiday then. Many dancing parents have to work. So we may be looking at the games not being the family outing that it currently is.  “It seems a shame to break the tradition of the games being held on New Year’s Day, but I guess one can only try a change of date and see what the outcome is, and it’s good that there is a willingness to be flexible to make it work for the majority.”
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