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Story: Scots

The Cameron family of Mataura

The Cameron family of Mataura

An ‘invented’ Highland tradition of kilts, pipe bands, dancing and games defined Scottish identity in New Zealand. Kenneth Cameron founded New Zealand’s first civilian pipe band in Invercargill in 1896. A quarter of a century later his sons were upholding the family’s Scottish traditions.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: C-26872-1/2

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

John Wilson, Scots – Scottish culture, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/182/the-cameron-family-of-mataura (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by John Wilson, published 4 March 2009, updated 1 August 2024.

Comments

Dr. Fiona Pardington
16 May 2023
A very negative opinion indeed, and tone-deaf. I think the writer should consider the enormous cultural oppression the Scottish people suffered at the hands of the English. Wouldn't you re-establish and explore your own culture in a safe new land? I think we can agree most aggressively colonised peoples wish to restore and enjoy their own cultural identity. We are a famous family of pipers with great musical talent, and a complex and remarkable history in Murihiku. How about exploring this instead of smearing the Camerons for loving their cultural heritage? I would like to see this part of the Te Ara website rewritten. It's an insult to my Cameron whakapapa.