History

Formed in the 1940's to promote, encourage and control participation in the sport of Marching. The name of the national organisation was changed in 1997 from New Zealand Marching Association (NZMA) to Marching New Zealand (MNZ), with emphasis on governance of the sport and operational management being conducted at local Association level under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer.

The Board of Marching New Zealand has been proactive in its approach to the governance of the sport.

The Strategic Plan is flexible and reviewed regularly by the Board to ensure it reflects the ongoing strategic direction of the organisation. Details behind the Strategic Plan are implemented each year through the Annual Business / Operating Plan. It has a clearly defined set of performance measures (based around quantity and quality) that are subject to monitoring and regular review.

It has a clearly defined set of performance measures (based around quantity and quality) that are subject to monitoring and regular review. The organisation operates on a sound financial base with accumulated funds. It derives its operating income from membership subscriptions, grants from national sports funding organisations, sponsorship and fund-raising ventures.

In the 1930's, Marching first made its appearance on the New Zealand sporting scene in the dark days of the 1930’s depression when Marching teams were formed as part of a nation-wide move to give priority to team sports as an answer to a major problem for leaders of youth groups and social workers arising from the impact of the country’s economic depression and to keep the nation’s young women fit and healthy. Teams emerged from business houses and factories for inter-house competitions and at wars end were joined by returning members of the armed services who restructured the movement based on a more rigid military style and in 1945 the New Zealand Marching Association (NZMA) was formed to promote, encourage and control participation in the sport of Marching.