New Zealand’s only public broadcaster, Radio New Zealand, will host 12,000 Miles,available free worldwide from December 2nd 2024, the Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands’ Association has announced.
“We are excited to finally show this spellbinding documentary to the rest of the world,” Management Board member Stu McHale says.
This collaboration between Radio New Zealand and the RNZPBA will see the documentary provided free-to-air through their website and Youtube channels. Viewers right across New Zealand and the world will get to dip their toes into the behind-the-scenes journey of four of our best pipe bands taking on the world at the 2023 World Pipe Band Championships.
Stu continued: “Telling our story as New Zealanders is intrinsic to our culture. This documentary is all about our story – the highs, lows, challenges, and rewards as these bands pursue their dreams of performing at the World Pipe Band Championships, revealing the spirit and commitment that defines New Zealand’s finest.”
With over 160 musicians from across New Zealand coming together, 12000 Miles offers viewers a front-row seat to the trials, triumphs, and traditions that define this remarkable journey. Cameras capture the excitement, nerves, and dedication as each band fine-tunes their performances, works through setbacks, and aims for excellence. From rigorous rehearsals to moments of reflection, the series provides an intimate look at the mental, physical, and musical preparation required to compete on the world stage.
“From an Association perspective, the opportunity to show what goes into sending a pipe band to the other side of the world is part of it. But giving the New Zealand public the chance to see what playing the bagpipes and drums are really like, and to see the opportunities available to them through our community is – hopefully – just going to add to the piping and drumming renaissance going on in New Zealand,” Mr McHale said.
“You never know what parent, caregiver, friend or family member might see the documentary and say ‘Yeah, I think little Jimmy/Janey might be good at that’.
John Sellwood, renowned New Zealand storyteller and 12,000 Miles documentary director, said: “Pipe bands are the synchronized swimmers of the music world, their creativity and dedication to precision is simply extraordinary.
“This documentary was as much about capturing the power of camaraderie and collaboration as it was the stunning musical performances.
“The bagpipes are a temperamental instrument and creating a winning sound can be a bit like balancing a stack of plates in one hand while juggling knives in the other. But when you achieve that balance, it’s sheer magic for the players and the audience.
“If there’s a single word that underscores this documentary and ethos of pipe bands it’s ‘passion’ – an unrelenting dedication to the music and performance.”
Prior to the documentary going live on Radio New Zealand, New Zealanders will have the chance to enter a competition to attend a pre-launch screening in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Stu McHale added: “The support from Radio New Zealand for the project has been incredible. They are almost more excited about it than we are! Having it available free-to-air worldwide was really important to us as a way of making the project accessible to everyone here at home, as well as providing it on a platform that our international friends could access too.
“The feedback from our premiere earlier this year was excellent. We hope viewers across the globe feel the same sense of excitement as they see it on their screens for the first time”
