Lieutenant to Cabarfeidh annual report, March 22, 2025

It is with a great deal of pride I stand here today at the end of my first year as your Lieutenant to Cabarfeidh. We have made great progress this year with promoting the clan from Waipu to Invercargill, and points in between.

I want to extend a thanks to my executive team and the committee as their support has been crucial in making this year the success it has been.

Also, I must say a huge thank you to my wife Carol for her support as I travel the country and spend long hours on the phone representing Clan MacKenzie. She does her best to keep me in line.

One of the highlights of the year was of course Clan MacKenzie being the lead clan at the Waipu Highland Games where senior commissioner Alex McKenzie and I led the parade. My wife Carol and Alex’s partner Kaye were there in support along with an enthusiastic team of MacKenzie representatives looking after our very prominent tent and display.

Also, the clan joined with Clan Cameron in Auckland to run a highly successful function at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Here again, I must thank Sir Ken McKenzie for his tireless work in getting the function arranged. Ken works closely with the museum, and he was able to do the bulk of the work while I was still based in the South Island. Working with Rob Cameron, from Clan Cameron, gave us the ability to attract a wide range of other clans to support our function in a venue that can only be described as outstanding. We are hoping the War Memorial Museum function in Auckland will become an annual event.

This reinforces my view that we must work with other clans to jointly promote our heritage because an increase in numbers attending events gives us all the opportunity to promote ourselves to prospective members. Clan MacKenzie had people signing up on the spot, as we did in Waipu.

As recently as two weeks ago, we joined with Clan MacNicol and Clan Ross to share a tent and stand at the national New Zealand Pipe Band Championships, in Invercargill. Thanks to our members who looked after our clan interests in the South. 

The Hororata Highland Games were another success for the clan. While we were down in helpers, the enthusiasm of those involved ensured we got our tartan and information in front of the thousands who attended the games. We will be there this year, possibly sharing a tent with a North Island clan which does not have a great presence in the South. Again, working together to promote our joint interest.

Along with Waipu, the clan was represented in the North Island at the Turakina Games and at Paeroa. Alex McKenzie reported that a great camaraderie had emerged among the 12 or so clans represented at Paeroa, and he has some exciting ideas to grow that relationship.

The Mackenzie A&P Highland Show is another event where we are prominent and have a great deal of support. It happens next month, April 21.

We did try some things that did not work as well as hoped, including two morning tea events in Christchurch. We will keep adapting until we find a formula that appeals to members .

I want to thank you, the members, for your support. Without you, there is no Clan MacKenzie.

The committee welcomes your input and ideas of things you would like to see the clan achieve. We have a monthly diary in which we advertise Scottish events you may be interested in attending. Our quarterly magazine can provide a forum for “your stories”. Contact details are included in both publications.

I am hugely proud of the clan and what it has achieved this year. I will ensure our presence and momentum is noted by Cabarfeidh at the international gathering in Inverness in August.

There is a quiet movement growing to join with Clan MacKenzie groups in other countries to promote ourselves to an international market. I hope to progress this in August.

Thank you for support and we can all look forward to another year of achievement for Clan MacKenzie Society of New Zealand.

Jock McKenzie

Lieutenant to Cabarfeidh