Clan Cameron Association of New Zealand
Clan Cameron NZ is an association that allow Camerons and their relatives to keep in contact and possibly find new family that they never knew existed. Through our events we continue to celebrate our Scottish Heritage and share this with new members.
This website has information on the regional branches and how you can get involved. Also, remember to like our page on Facebook.
For more information on the Clan Internationally visit http://www.clan-cameron.org/ and to find out if you are a Cameron you can see all the septs here.
History
The idea of a Clan association in New Zealand was originally suggested by Colonel Sir Donald Walter Cameron, 25th Chief of Clan Cameron. Correspondence between Lochiel and Ian Cameron of Wairarapa led to a meeting aboard the Orient Liner S.S. Orama, in Wellington Harbour on 29th December 1935. The Orama’s captain, Captain Evan P. Cameron, as the representative of Lochiel, said to the Camerons on board that:
“It was hoped … at least one thousand Australian and New Zealand Camerons attend a Rally at Achnacarry the following June, the Rally was to spread enthusiasm for the Clan spirit and therefore be a great force for peace.’
At this meeting four influential and enthusiastic Camerons laid the foundation of the New Zealand Association.
The four founders were Dr. Percy Cameron, Ian D. Cameron, P.M. Cameron and D.C. Cameron. Dr. Percy was elected the first President, Hector Y. Cameron, Vice-President, P.M. Cameron Secretary and Treasurer and Ian D. Cameron Dominion Organiser. Ian Cameron travelled throughout New Zealand, contacting Camerons and explaining the project. Within twelve months, branches were established in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Masterton, Wellington, Dunedin, Tauranga and Wanganui. At this time 1,700 Camerons and their dependents had joined the association.
The onset of the Second World War led to a hiatus for Clan Cameron in New Zealand. In 1956, Ian Cameron attended a Gathering at Achnacarry and was asked by the 26th Chief, Donald Hamish Cameron, to look at reviving Clan Cameron in New Zealand. In a remarkably short time, due mainly to Ian Cameron’s enthusiasm, energy and organising ability, branches were reformed in most of the old centres.
By the time of Lochiel and Lady Cameron’s visit to New Zealand in 1969, there were upwards of 2,700 members across the country.
In the 1980s, the association in New Zealand continued to flourish. The Clan celebrated 50 years of the Clan Cameron Association in New Zealand at their 20th Annual Conference in Tauranga in September 1985.
In 1989, twenty New Zealand members travelled to the Clan Rally at Achnacarry for Lochiel and Lady Margaret’s 50th wedding anniversary. Donald Cameron, New Zealand Commissioner, presented a sheepskin rug and an illuminated address from New Zealand members to Lochiel and Lady Margaret.
The First Light Exchange was established by Clan Cameron New Zealand in 1997. This exchange enables young New Zealand Camerons to spend time working in Scotland while Scottish members are hosted in New Zealand. The first exchanges took place in 2000, with Astie Cameron from Lochaber travelling to New Zealand, and 2001, with Shona Cameron from Auckland travelling to Lochaber where she helped organise the 2001 Gathering at Achnacarry.
Clan Cameron New Zealand proudly hosted the International Clan Cameron Gathering at St Kentigern College in Auckland in January 2005. This was the first time an International Gathering has been held outside Scotland. Visitors from Scotland, England, Australia and the USA joined hundreds of New Zealand members at the gathering. Leading the visitors at the opening traditional Maori powhiri was Colonel Charles Cameron, Lochiel’s official representative.
Clan Cameron New Zealand continues to flourish in the 21st century with branches in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Manawatu, Iar (Taranaki/Wanganui), Wellington/Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay and Canterbury.
Presidents of Clan Cameron New Zealand
- Percy D. Cameron OBE 1935 – 1939
- Ian Donald Cameron MBE OBE JP 1959 – 1983
- Donald Robert Cameron 1984 – 1991
- Matthew Harold Cameron MBE JP 1991 – 1997
- Maisie Earle OBE MBE 1997 – 2001
- K. Neil Cameron MBE 2002 – 2006
- Denis H. Cameron 2006 – 2011
- Fraser Cameron 2011 – 2015
- Nick Cameron 2015 – 2022
- Dale Cameron Bailey 2022-
Life Members of Clan Cameron New Zealand
Dr Percy Cameron Wellington
Stuart P. Cameron Otago
Major Frank V. A. Marton Bay of Plenty
Donald A. Thompson Manawatu
Charles A. Cameron Bay of Plenty
Douglas Cameron Wanganui
James Q. Cameron Manawatu
Alexander J. Cameron Otago
John Cameron Wellington
Frances M. Cameron Wairarapa
Cath Cordes Otago
Jane Tobin Otago
Rodney Cameron Wanganui
Lulu Cameron Otago
R. Bruce Cameron Wellington/Wairarapa
Donald R. Cameron Wellington/Wairarapa
Denis H. Cameron Bay of Plenty
Graeme L. Cameron Wellington/Wairarapa
Dr Maisie Earle OBE MBE Manawatu
Dorothy Cameron-Gavin Auckland
Audrey Rosoman Bay of Plenty
M. Harold Cameron MBE Bay of Plenty
K. Neil Cameron MBE Auckland
Fraser Cameron Bay of Plenty
Nick Cameron Canterbury
National Committee
Hereditary Chief and Captain of Clan Cameron
Donald Angus Cameron of Lochiel,
Lord Lieutenant of Inverness,
Achnacarry, Spean Bridge,
Imverness-shire, Scotland. PH34 4ES
New Zealand President and Commissioner
Dale Cameron Bailey
6 Harapaki St, Meadowbank, Auckland 1072
Ph 09 521 5329
dale.bailey@xtra.co.nz
Secretary
Vacant
Treasurer
Hillary Hakaraia
2 Crestlands Place, Papakura, Auckland 2110
Ph 09 299 8672
HillaryHak@xtra.co.nz
Genealogist and Historian
David Weston
14 Tanguru Street, Whanganui East, Whanganui 4500
Ph (06) 343 2539
clancameronhistory@gmail.com
First Light Exchange Convenor
Bryan Haggitt
96A Lucerne Road, Remuera, Auckland 1050
Ph 09 524 5254
bchecho@xtra.co.nz
Magazine Editor
Neil Cameron,
SA 551, William Sanders Retirement Village, 7 Ngataringa Rd, Devonport, Auckland 0624
Ph 027 948 5808
kncam@xtra.co.nz
Facebook/WebSite Convenor
Dale Cameron Bailey