Visitors Survey

Hororata Highland Games 2023

Thank you for coming to the Hororata Highland Games! Our community love having you join our Clan for the day!

Your feedback is important as this helps us improve the event. Give us your feedback on this survey and be in the draw to win VIP Tartan Club Tickets for you and 3 mates to next year’s Games valued at $400.00.

The Hororata Highland Games is the Hororata Community Trust’s main fundraiser.  The event provides opportunities for 10 – 15 different groups to raise funds. Profits are invested back into our community, particularly the development of the Hororata Community Hub facility.

Thank you for supporting our community. Below is a bit more of our story.

The Hororata Highland Games (HHG) was created in 2011 from the community’s desire to take charge of its own future following the Canterbury earthquakes and the devastation of a number of key community facilities. Rather than wait for assistance a motivated group of individuals developed a theme that resonated with them and filled a unique gap in the event market, the HHG was born and is now a permeant fixture in the Scottish Competition calendar.

The event attracts over 500 competitors who compete in Highland Dancing, Piping and Drumming, Tug O’ War, Highland Spin (a fleece to garment challenge), Small Bore Shooting, Amateur Scottish heavy athletics (men’s and women’s), and the Oceania Heavyweight Championship (professional Scottish heavy athletics). Competitors come from throughout New Zealand and internationally to compete.

The event engages 200 volunteers, many of whom are local. However, there are a number who have been drawn to the event who had no prior association with the community. These people are involved because they see not only what the event is doing for the community, but also what it is doing for the Scottish sports and arts.

This is a family-friendly event that appeals to all ages and visitors don’t have to be Scottish to enjoy it!

“I was impressed with how well organised the event was and by the number of people who attended which was considerably more than most Highland Games in Scotland. The Hororata Highland Games is most definitely authentic, paying tribute to many Scottish traditions, but I really enjoyed the new elements that have been introduced and the ‘Kiwi twist’ was very special.”

2015 Chieftain, Alex Bruce, Director of Adelphi Distillery, Scotland.
“An amazing experience, an extremely well-run event. I’m definitely coming back again and bringing the family. Best highland games I have ever attended.”
Liam McNeight, Amateur heavy athlete
“An absolutely well organised event. A pleasant day out with family.”
Beth Norgate, Spectator
“We love the Hororata Highland Games – the best of its kind, in NZ, in my opinion.  The timing is also perfect for the build-up to the NZ pipe band contest season.”
Scott Shannon, Pipe Major South Canterbury Development Pipe Band

“We had a very enjoyable day.  We were amazed at the assistance we got from your workers in unpacking and setting up.  That position was ideal for us (under the tree) in the shade.  The weather couldn’t have been more perfect and the organization couldn’t have been better. A good day financially as well, which always helps. We would definitely be interested next year.”

Jim and Anne Conaghan, Stallholder, Conagan’s Gourmet Foods