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The Executive Committee of the New Zealand Academy of Highland
and National Dancing (Inc) has prepared the following statement
of the Academy's position relative to the current situation of Highland
Dancing within New Zealand. This statement is based on opinions
expressed to the Executive by Academy Members and the Committee's
understanding of the stance taken by the Scottish Official Board
of Highland Dancing in relation to New Zealand.
Academy Members are invited to comment on this statement. Responses
should be addressed to the Secretary.
The President of the Piping and Dancing Association (P & D)
in his recent editorial in the Scotia Pacific magazine refers to
conflict within Highland Dancing in New Zealand. We do not agree
that the present situation can be categorised as “conflict".
However there is a belief that there needs to be more free and open
discussion between the Academy and the P & D and the Academy
is keen for this to be addressed. At present there is no formal
agreement between the Academy and the P & D although there have
been some informal discussions. Certainly, the P & D and the
Academy are two independent organisations capable of making independent
decisions, but at this time in history it is important that they
act as one. Such conflict that does exist within Highland Dancing
globally, arises from the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing
(the Board) continuing to deny the rights of other organisations
to exist and promote their own technique and style of dance. It
is important to acknowledge that New Zealand has special traditions
that must be preserved.
It is a misinterpretation of the facts to suggest that the Academy
ever proposed to stifle enquiry in regard to SOB technique. In fact
the Academy has gone to great lengths to ensure that its members
have been given the information necessary to make their own decisions.
This includes providing two International Summer Schools with overseas
tutors, a Forum on Overseas Dancing Organisations held at the AGM
in September 2001 and detailed reports in the Christmas 2001 Newsletter.
The P & D President has suggested that the Academy “take
on board" the Board technique but the Academy cannot formally
adopt the Board syllabus and technique without the express permission
of the Board. During their visit to New Zealand the Chairperson
and Secretary of the Board were quite clear that should the Academy
wish to include their work in its Syllabus, this could only be done
in accordance with the terms of the Board rules. They specifically
stated that Academy technique would be restricted to concerts with
only the Board technique danced in competition. In other
words TOTAL COMPLIANCE! While the Board have an exemption in place
for New Zealanders until August 2004 there is no indication of any
intention for that exemption to be extended. Likewise the apparent
failure of the Board at its recent AGM to pass any of the resolutions
put forward to free up Board rules, does not augur well for a change
in the Board position in the near future.
It is our clear perception that it is the Board who needs to address
problem areas and not other organisations. Specifically:
- the unacceptable restrictive practices enshrined in the Board
constitution
- the ineligibility of a competitor or judge, who has taken part
in any so called championship not recognised by the Board, to
compete or adjudicate in any championship or competition under
Board rules until given permission to do so by the Board
- the prevention of those registered with the Board from becoming
members of organisations outside its control
- the self appointed use of the slogan “world-wide governing
body".
We believe that it is necessary for the Board to make changes within
their own organisation, before any successful negotiated position
can be achieved.
It is also important that in any negotiations between New Zealand
and the Board we MUST enter the negotiation from a position of strength
and not as a supplicant or as a “subservient organisation".
Consideration needs to be given to the following issues in relation
to any further discussion on the Board:
- That New Zealand retains the New Zealand technique (also known
as the Academy technique) as would the Board be entitled to retain
the Board technique
- That the P & D and Academy remain as independent bodies
within any “umbrella" organisation
- That the Board agrees to remove “the restrictive practices"
that in today's world have no relevance and are potentially contrary
to present legislation in both countries
- That “freedom of choice" is enshrined in any new constitution
or in any changes to an existing constitution.
The Academy reiterates that it is happy to join with the P &
D to negotiate with the Board but that the Academy has a responsibility,
dating from the time of its formation by the P & D, to ensure
the very integrity of the art form it was established to protect.
Therefore such negotiations must be based on the continuing ability
of the Academy to retain and promote its technique and dance style
supported by the opportunity for that technique to be danced on
New Zealand competition platforms.
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