Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo makes a much-anticipated return to New Zealand with two performances scheduled for 19 and 21 February 2026.
This is a massive pageant, which flies in over 100 participants from abroad, and swells to 1000 with an army of volunteers. The last time in this country was in 2015 in Wellington.
To finally get here to Fortress Eden Park for the first time makes it even more exciting.
Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the Tattoo, which dates it to 1951 for the inaugural one. 6 years after the end of the Second World War.
Many historians consider 1914 and 1939 the same basic conflict. The War to End All Wars and This Time We Really Mean It.
We continue to live in the after-shock world. Nuclear weapons paradoxically may be the circuit breaker of centuries of European conflict.
Geopolitical expert analyst George Friedman has repeatedly commented, in the last 1400 years there has always been one world war every century, except for the 20th century which had two.
War is Peace. No apologies if that sounds Orwellian, but again I remember a famous talk when Friedman held up a cell phone.
All this technology comes from original military applications. The World-Wide Web was designed for the military. Now it is the world for many people.
I remember the Tattoo only from television. The bagpipes (I love pipe bands despite some who consider them as screeching cats), the drum marches, the fireworks and later light shows.
There were horses once. An elderly Scottish ex-pat related a story about how her army husband was employed at the Tattoo to pick up the horse droppings. All part of the show and well-paid. Being Scottish I suspect it was sold later at exorbitant prices as Royal Tattoo manure.
A preview welcome has held recently at Eden Park.
Minister of Defence Judith Collins referred to this country’s proud military history in referencing the theme of the Tattoo. Heroes Who Made Us.
Inclusive of military and civilian.
Mayor Wayne Brown took responsibility for the weather. February traditionally the hottest month but you never can be certain of our fickle climate.
He reminded us of New Zealand’s strong Scottish heritage and pointed out the culture resides most deeply, not in Dunedin as you may think, but up north in Waipu.
I attended their 151st Highland Games on New Years Eve 2024. Watched the caber-tossing and gumboot throwing, bagpipes and dancing competitions, and got to try some haggis (farmed, not wild).
Jason Barrett is the CEO of Edinburgh Tattoo. Welcomed the Greatest Show on Earth to New Zealand and informed us of the aim to make it a touring spectacle. Groups from all over the world and not just Britain come together to perform. Marching drums, pipe bands and big musical variety spectacular.
He has a faint American accent and did spend 20 years as an Infantry Officer in the US Army.
Alan Lane spoke as the creative director of the Tattoo. He gave us more of an insight as to what we can expect in February next year.
He is the Artistic Director with Slung Low Theatre Company in England for many years. He does have a military background in recent times as an engineer with the British Army. Has spent some time recently at Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst.
Both men commented on how the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a multi-generational tradition. Children were taken by their parents and went back with their own families.
Likely the biggest event in 2026 for the iconic Eden Park. Tickets are available here.
Rev. Orange Peel