Heartland - Waipū

Television (Full Length Episode) – 1994

In this 1994 Heartland episode, presenter Gary McCormick partakes in Waipū's (largely Scottish) culture. With a strong contingent of early Scottish settlers, the small Northland town keeps the traditions of their home country alive with the annual Highlands Games. McCormick is immersed in the event and its preparations — making haggis, playing the bagpipes and training in traditional Scottish games — as well as enjoying Waipū's fishing and cave exploring. In true Heartland custom, the episode is full of quirky small town characters — including a goat called Gormless, and a blind cave guide.

The early immigrants brought with them the traditions and past times of their native Scotland. Many of these have endured until today. This week, Waipū is preparing to stage the annual Highland Games, an event which has been contested every New Year's Day for 123 years.
– Presenter Gary McCormick, at the start of this episode