The Whangarei & County Pipe Band was officially formed in 1936.

The Band has a rich history in its service to the community, band competition at a national level and producing high quality traditional Scottish music.

Many great practitioners of the art of Bagpiping and Scottish Drumming have been involved in the band: among them the 1951 World Piobaireachd Champion Angus MacAuley, who led the pipe band as Pipe Major for a number of years in the 1950s, legendary New Zealand piper and former Pipe Major Lewis Turrell MBE, multiple world side drumming champion Bob Turner, and the current Pipe Major Bain McGregor, a successful New Zealand piper with over 40 years playing experience.

The Band has competed over numerous decades, including at the very highest level in Grade 1. In the past 20 years, the Band has drifted between Grade 2 and Grade 3 (winning in Grade 3 at the 1998 National Championships in Rotorua, and coming 2nd in Grade 2 at the 2004 National Championships in Taupo).

In 2013 the Band competed at the National Pipe Band Championships in Grade 3 and came a credible 3rd after five years of competition inactivity. Following the Nationals the Band appointed a new Drum Sergeant, Neil Mogey, who together with Pipe Major Bain McGregor led the Band to its most successful competitive season in recent history: winning the Grade 3 titles at the Auckland Highland Games, Palmerston North Square Day, Paeroa Highland Games, Auckland Centre Contest and the New Zealand Pipe Band Championship at Tauranga in March 2014.

Following the successes of the 2013/2014 season, the Band was promoted to Grade 2 by the Royal New Zealand Pipe Band Association. Firm plans are in place for the continued development of the Band, with a view to grow membership and increase performances in the community.

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