New Zealand National Championships Cancelled

Despite New Zealand seemingly winning the battle to contain and eliminate the spread of the Covid 19, it has been confirmed that the 2020 National Championships due to be held in Christchurch in July has been cancelled. This will be the first time since 1931 that the event has been cancelled and with the exception of the two World Wars it is only the second time in the contest’s history that it has had to be cancelled.

Following a meeting of the National Management Committee it was noted that despite the success of the nationwide Level 4 lockdown it was likely that there would still be a significant period of restriction to follow. John Sullivan, President of the Brass Band Association of New Zealand stated that the decision, following extensive communication with bands, was "not lightly made". Christchurch will now host the event in 2021, followed by Wellington and Dunedin.

John Sullivan thanked the Christchurch Contest Committee for the "tremendous amount of work done in preparation for the contest" and they now look forward to making the 2021 contest "a real success".

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