Auckland & District Pipe Band, often known as “A&D”, is a leading New Zealand pipe band based in Auckland. It has long been one of the strongest bands in the country’s Northern Region and is described by the Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands’ Association as having maintained its place as the region’s premier Grade 1 band for more than fifty years.

The band’s competitive record stretches back at least to the mid-20th century. Auckland and Districts won the New Zealand Grade 1 championship in 1950, and later built an outstanding national record, with reported Grade 1 New Zealand Championship wins including 1950, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1981, 1983, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2009 and 2010.

A&D has remained active at the top level, competing domestically and internationally, including at World Championship level. In 2023, the RSPBA confirmed the Grade 1 status of Auckland & District, allowing the band to compete in the top grade at that year’s World Pipe Band Championships.

Today, Auckland & District continues to field bands in multiple grades, with RNZPBA listings showing the organisation represented in both Grade 1 and Grade 3.

With its mix of longevity, national titles and top-grade ambition, Auckland & District stands as one of New Zealand’s heavyweight pipe band names. Proper Antipodean pipe-band steel, with the drones pointed north and the swagger set to “contest mode.”