Dominion Post please do some research so you get your facts right. The RNZAF Central Band based in Wellington is not a band manned by full-time bandsmen and women. As is the case with the RNZAF Base bands the RNZAF Central Band is comprised of territorial airmen and women (a good number of which are music students from university). The central band only has two full time regular force members, the RNZAF Director of music and his assistant.

I for one will be sad to see the end of Wellington, West Coast & Taranaki Regiment's band - The only Pipe Band in the NZ Army.

They may be 'only' part timers; but they were good enough to do the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2000.

I'm getting this picture in my mind of a military parade where the soldiers all carry boom boxes on their shoulders.....

No more muisc to the ears? Eh?

2.7 million was spent last year sanitising the defence media reports. The mere $900,000 savings destroy part of our defence force history. The NZ Artillery band has been in continuous existence since 1864. Much of these savings are at the cost of pomp and ceremony that colour our culture and heritage. It is equivalent to decolorising your TV and watching in b&w. Look forward to bland military occasions from now on as 3 bands struggle to fly around the country: highly efficient use of defence force money. Contrast this with the no holds barred $45M spent on government house renovations which only the big wigs experience. Millions spent on rugby world cup dignitaries and visits by royalty. The defence force seems to have no choice. Only the public can fight to retain this part of our heritage. 3 bands instead of 10 on Anzac day and other special occasions all for a mere $900,000 saving $130,000/band this is cultural sacrilege. Our culture is being destroyed around us single handedly by a right wing government with myopic tunnel vision.

Paul @ #1

Your comment is why Defence policy is best left to people who know a little bit about the topic.

For a start, the planes 'we can't afford' is a government policy choice rather than an NZDF operational spending one, and fulltime bands are central to military ceremony and ethos.

The compromise is good. Given the Defence cut backs, non core bands need to go but it is necessary to retain the full time ones from each service.

Paul @ 1. I guess the government is running the shambles and that's why it is so. I would be surprised if there is an ex airman, squady or sailor amongst them. I hear $21M was given against the Treaty today. I keep on reminding myself that NZ is short on cash ..... that is for certain important things like defence. Yuk

The Territorial [Reserve] Bands are all a bunch of Prima Donna's playing dress up as soldiers when it suits them. Refuse to travel unless it's by bus and won't stay out overnight. Good riddance.

Talk about facing the music.

Paul #1: Absolutely. Military bands are fine, but they won't do any good against an attack. Look at the Falklands war and the punishment meted out to the British naval task force by the Argentine air force. NZ needs a fighter wing in order to have a credible defense force.