New Zealand Police Pipe Band was originally formed in 1936 in Wellington as the Wellington Police Highland Pipe Band by Detective Sergeant Neil McPhee. Before its formation, police officers who played pipes usually joined local civilian bands, so this gave New Zealand Police its own dedicated Highland pipe band identity. The band later changed its name to New Zealand Police Pipe Band to better reflect its national role representing the police service.

Based at the Royal New Zealand Police College near Wellington, the band performs at police functions, civic events, community parades and major ceremonial occasions. It includes police and civilian members, with guest players from overseas also supporting performances and competition work.

Competitively, the band has been one of New Zealand’s leading pipe bands, winning the national Grade One Championship multiple times, including a dominant run from 1996 to 1999 and a later championship win in 2018. It has also represented New Zealand at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow.