A Brief History of Clan Donald Organisations in New Zealand

The first Clan Donald organisation, Southland in Invercargill, was launched on 15th July 1959 as the Clan Donald Society of New Zealand. Their name was later altered to Clan Donald Society of New Zealand - Southland, following the establishment of other autonomous branches. Seventy-nine people attended the first meeting when it was held in 1959, and the Society still has a membership of around 60. A foundation member, Mrs Mary Batt was a Life Member and Patron of the Southland branch until her death in April 2004. The Southland Branch in February 1999, dedicated a memorial cairn at Glencoe in Southland, to commemorate the massacre of 1692.

The next Clan Donald organisation to be established was Otago in Dunedin in 1960. Unfortunately this branch went into recess about two years later, but was re-established in 1990 under the Presidency of Colin F. McDonald, who was one of the original founders of the Invercargill Society. Colin died whilst in office, in 1991.

In  1988 Ian Donald from Christchurch, toured the United States and Canada with the Canterbury Caledonian Society Pipe Band. First stop was the Highland Games at Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. At the Clan Donald tent Ian introduced himself to Jim and Hester McDonald. This introduction formed the basis of a friendship that continues today. Clan Donald USA was touring down under later in the year and Ian was asked to book a venue for their final night. They have a tradition of concluding their tours with a prize giving. The Caledonian Hall was booked and the arrangements were confirmed with the tour guide, Douglas Murdock. Douglas encouraged Ian to establish a branch in Christchurch. Clan Donald Canterbury held its inaugural meeting on February 10th 1991 in the Burns Rooms, Tuam Street. The branch continues to grow and is involved with a range of social and traditional activities. The contact with the United States is maintained with two members regularly attending their AGM's.

Clan Donald as an incorporated society in Auckland, is of relatively recent origin. An informal working party committee began efforts towards establishment in the late 1980s, the prime mover being Murdo MacDonald, a native of Stornoway. Incorporation as ‘Clan Donald, Auckland and Districts Society’ was finally achieved in March 1997. Now firmly established, Clan Donald’s pavilion where a welcome awaits Clan Donald members and visitors from other clans is a recognised and significant presence at Highland gatherings throughout the North Island. Functions for members, including the annual dinner, ceilidhs and other social functions are held throughout the year. Clan Donald, Auckland, also plays a significant part in its association with Clan Donald in Scotland. It has hosted official visitations, and maintains close contact with the High Commissioner for Clan Donald in New Zealand appointed by the High Council of Chiefs of Clan Donald from its membership.

A Clan Donald organisation in Wellington held its first annual general meeting in 2009. The inaugural President is Angus McDonald.

In October 2010 a Clan Donald organization was also established in Hawke’s Bay.

One of our great joys has been to see the way in which these separate organisations have re-established contacts with other Clan Donald members, not only "at home" in Scotland, but also with our kin in other parts of the world - notably the United States, Canada and Australia, and the valued connections which have now been made. A federal body to coordinate the efforts of the New Zealand organisations held its first meeting in May 2010.

In 1992, Bill McDonald of Milton, Otago, was appointed by Lord Macdonald of Macdonald, High Chief of Clan Donald, as Commissioner for the South Island, and he held this appointment until 2006 when the task was taken on by Elwyn Martin of Queenstown, who was a foundation member of the Society in Auckland before moving South. Elwyn’s major responsibilities are to liaise between the three South Island groups and other like bodies.

In 2004 Donald MacDonald Webster of Auckland, was appointed High Commissioner for New Zealand to represent the High Council of the Chiefs of Clan Donald. In 2007 Harold McIsaac became High Commissioner, and Donald Webster then held the office of High Commissioner Emeritus until his death in August 2010.