Hokonui's under 18, and under 13, marching teams took top honours in their respective age groups at the 2023 Southland Island Marching Championships held at Stadium Southland last Sunday (10 Dec).

Both teams were placed first in their technical and display events, giving each a decisive championship win.

The Hokonui U18 team, who earlier this year represented New Zealand at the inaugural 2023 Australia & New Zealand Drilldance and Marching Tattoo, went into the competition as reigning SI champions, having won the same event in 2022.

Hokonui U13 marching team. Photo: Supplied

Marching Southland Publicity and Promotions officer Sheree Hall credited hard work and determination as being key to the Hokonui teams' success.

However Hall said the organisation was proud of all the teams, many of whom who were brand new and never competed in a championship before.

Hall said the weekend, which had attracted 28 teams and an estimated 280 competitors from all over the South Island, had been awesome and a really well run weekend.

Hokonui U18 marching team represented New Zealand at the inaugural 2023 Australia & New Zealand Drilldance and Marching Tattoo held in July at the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

She said it had been the first time Southland Marching had hosted the event since 2017, and despite a lot of things changing - including formats, routines, and costs, the organisation had adapted really well.

Hall said local teams would now be concentrating on some more local competitions before heading north to the sport's national championships in Hamilton in March 2024.

2023 South Island Results

U13

1st Technical HOKONUI

2nd Technical PIONEERS OF CANTERBURY

3rd Technical ECLIPSE

1st Display HOKONUI

2nd Display PIONEERS OF CANTERBURY

3rd Display ECLIPSE

CHAMPION TEAM HOKONUI

Coach: Levana Phillip

U18

1st Technical HOKONUI

2nd Technical ECLIPSE

3rd Technical ONYX MILLITAIRES

1st equal Display HOKONUI & ECLIPSE

3rd Display ALLSTARS

CHAMPION TEAM HOKONUI

Coaches: Renee Morgan & Tracy Mcdonald

SENIOR GRADE

1st Technical EMPIRE

2nd Technical ECLIPSE

3rd Technical SKELLERUP MILLITAIRE GUARDS

1st Display ECLIPSE

2nd Display EMPIRE

3rd Display SKELLERUP MILLITAIRE GUARDS

CHAMPION TEAM EMPIRE

Coaches: Keryn Cawood & Sam O'Connell

MASTERS GRADE

1st Technical ECLIPSE

2nd Technical PIONEERS OF CANTERBURY

3rd Technical ONYX MILLITAIRES

1st Display ECLIPSE

2nd Display PIONEERS OF CANTERBURY

3rd Display ONYX MILLITAIRES

CHAMPION TEAM ECLIPSE

Coaches: Kellie Hood & Victoria Law