I marched in the Claudettes Marching Team in Kaitaia. I started as a seven year old in the midgets as reserve and the next year became leader which I remained through the ranks of Junior & Senior until I left at 17years.  I think I marched from around 1962 until 1972.

My first instructor was Merle Bryljevich with chaperone Winnie Lunjevich (now Hanlon).  Junior instructor Rex Woods and chaperone Val Barriball (now Mcgregor).  Senior coach Reg Dixon.

There were up to 12 teams around our area at the time-Xmas parades were great. We always had to travel for competitions so our parents were always fundraising (just like now really!. Since then I have married twice, first to Trevor Ryan & for the last 26 year to Eric Shackleton.  I have one son & two stepsons and between us we have eight grandkids,  soon to be 9! 

I work in a pharmacy and have done since leaving school.  I drive twice a week to Kerikeri for practice, a round trip taking nearly 3 hours!  But of course I don't mind one bit since I LOVE Marching.

I joined the Northland Tuis Leisure Marching Team in 2007, never having marched before.

It was also about that time my husband and I sold our sawmill business.  After 26 busy years of working in a male-dominated environment and raising our children, I really have enjoyed having some 'Me' time at last.

Through marching I have made a great bunch of friends.  We have such fun together.  I especially enjoy our trips away to the Display Days.

I joined the leisure marching team about 3 years ago never having marched before. Learnt a lot and it has proved to be a lot of fun. 

We laugh a lot, enjoy the camaraderie and practice hard so as not to make fools of ourselves. The trips away to display days are always enjoyable and not so nerve racking now we've had a few years practice! It certainly keeps the mind active remembering the display - we try so hard not to make mistakes! 

I was brought up in the Bay of Islands spending my youth in Kerikeri. I went to the South Island and the big OE through my twenties, married in my thirties, worked hard in my forties, enjoyed step-grandchildren in my fifties. Now I'm in my sixties I am looking forward to the day I can retire, lead a more leisurely life and spend even more time with the step-grandchildren. 

Hi, my name is Anne the newest member of the Tui marching team, I joined in January this year. 

My husband and I are new to Kerikeri and I wanted to have an interest/sport of my own after supporting 4 children through theirs. 

I love being around a bunch of enthusiastic people, I get to keep fit, in a non contact sports team and I don't have to wear a short skirt! We also get to go away on display days with the team and have loads of fun! 

I joined the Squadronettes marching team in 1959 when I was just 7yrs old. We practiced one night a week after school and every Sunday afternoon at the Mt. Roskill Intermediate school grounds in Auckland.  Marching, in those days, was a very disciplined sport and an excellent team building experience.  We traveled throughout the North Island to many competitions and interacted with so many other marchers. 

I participated in competition marching until I was, approximately, 14 years old. 

I joined the Northland Tuis Leisure Marching Team in 2009.  I enjoy Leisure marching, it is good exercise. We have some very experienced marchers in the team and together we have formed a great team.  Everyone gets along very well together and we have lots of fun on our trips away we are a great bunch of ladies and invite anyone who would like to “give it a GO” to join us.

I have two wonderful children, adults now of course, and I am the very proud nana of 5, two adorable girls, Bryna and Charlotte and three gorgeous boys, Connor, Dustin and Ace.

I work at the Kerikeri Medical Centre as Practice Manager I have been there for 17 years.  I do enjoy my work but it is a demanding job so having my marching to go to twice a week is a wonderful way of unwinding.

Hi I'm Christine.  As a girl in Stratford, I marched for the Empire Guards, sponsored by the Empire Hotel. The two coaches I can remember were, Ray Sager, who had 2 daughters in our team and Albee Thomas, an Ex Army officer who was very firm but we loved him.
Leisure Marching for me as a adult is fantastic, keeps me alive, fit, active and I love catching up with old friends and new, family, cousins and Aunty's who march around New Zealand.
                                  GO NORTHLAND TUI'S.