Take a bow and congratulations, everybody. The 14th Hororātā Highland Games was an outstanding success, with a record 11,000 people joining our community to celebrate Scottish and Kiwi culture.

The Games continue to show what a rural community can achieve through passion and pride.

These games are a tribute to our community, together we create a day full of highlights, person achievement and accomplishment. For me, I had the privilege of sharing the day with our 2025 Chieftain, Michael Fraser Milne.  Watching  20 pipe bands saluting him in a moving mass performance that captured the spirit of the event is extremely emotional. This year’s opening ceremony also featured Louis Newman, who performed his winning tune “Spirit of Hororātā” publicly for the first time — a salute to Michael, the Hororātā Whisky, and the unbreakable spirit of our rural community.

Congratulations to all 800 competitors, 21 clans, 130 market stalls, 8 performing groups, and 16 community organisations fundraising for their causes.

My personal thanks and gratitude goes to the organising Committee and to our 230 volunteers — Clan Hororātā — whose commitment makes this event possible.

To all our sponsors, suppliers, entertainers, and supporters, thank you for enabling the Hororātā Community Trust to deliver an event that is more than just an enjoyable day out — it inspires people and helps our community thrive.

Funds raised support local initiatives and the Hororātā Hall renovation project, a cornerstone for our community’s future.

Many thanks to everyone who played a part in making 2025 another year to remember. See you for our 15th birthday 7th November 2026!