Question 1: What happens when there is a tie for a class/age/most points trophy?
Answer: Rule 13 of the Bylaws applies. There are three main points to consider:

The bylaw states that: 
1. "Where a prize is awarded for most points over a number of events, points shall be computed on the basis of five for each first placing, three for each second and one for each third with the exception of the NZ Dancing Championship age groups when Rule 28 A shall apply. 

In the event of a tie for any placing the above points shall be shared in the same manner as applies to prize money. 

2. If the total points of two or more competitors shall be equal, the competitor who has gained the most first placings shall be awarded the most points prize, and if two or more are still equal then the competitor with the most second prizes, and so on.

3. If two or more competitors are still equal then the Society may use the aggregate marks, if the intention to use aggregate marks in this way is clearly stated in the Society's programme."

Organisers
of competitions should note that if they wish to apply the aggregate marks procedure then it must be on the schedule e.g. "In the event of a tie aggregate marks will be used in accordance with Bylaw 13." The phrase "aggregate marks" must be included. 

It is not sufficient to just say "In the event of a tie Bylaw 13 will apply." If organizers do not wish to apply the aggregate marks procedure then the status quo stands and there is no need to state this on the schedule.

Question 2: What financial obligations (in terms of membership) does a judge need to meet? 
Answer: Any Piping or Dancing Adjudicator must be a financial member of the Assn. A Dancing Adjudicator must also be a financial member of the New Zealand Academy of Highland and National Dancing. A Life Member who is an Adjudicator must be a financial member of the Assn. 

Question 3: What requirements are expected of a Probationary Adjudicator in order to move on to the General List? 
Answer: To qualify for promotion to the General List a Probationary Adjudicator must complete six judging appointments (three of which must be written reports) and be recommended by a Centre. On the Centre's recommendation the Council of the Association formally approves the appointment. Forms are available for download off the web site under Forms. 

Question 4: Does an Adjudicator have to award 85 marks to first place in a NZ, NI, SI or Centre Championship? 
Answer: No the Adjudicator signs a statement: "I hereby certify that the performance of competitor number ... in the ...Championship to be of sufficient standard to merit the award" - signed and dated by the adjudicator. 

Question 5: If a member has a problem or query about any matter in relation to competitions what is the procedure? 
Answer: Any member who has a query must go through their local Centre Secretary. The Centre Committee will then discuss the matter and resolve any issues that arise. If the Centre decides that the matter is unable to be resolved at the local level or is of national importance then the problem or query will be forwarded to the Council of the Piping and Dancing Association for further discussion and/or resolution 

Question 6: At what speed should our dances (Highland & National dances) be danced?
Answer: Rule 42 of the Bylaws of the Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand provides tempos for the dances giving dancers, judges and pipers clear guidelines as to the speed at which each dance should be danced, piped or judged. Dances should not be danced, piped or judged outside the limits of these tempos. A metronome will assist in ensuring that tempos are correctly followed.

Question 7: I am 20 years old and a teacher and a judge. My teacher has asked me to teach some of her pupils while she is away. I have also been asked to judge at a local competition. Can I judge her pupils? I did not get paid.
Answer: The answer to this question lies in Bylaw 33. The simple answer is you cannot judge your teacher's pupils (either in a local competition or a national competition) or any other teacher's pupils that you have taught in the past year. 

This rule relates to judges (and competitors): Bylaw 33 

"No person shall judge any competitor in any dancing competition who they have privately taught or instructed in any form of dancing during the year immediately preceding the competition, and no person shall compete in any dancing competition before any judge who has so taught or instructed the competitor during the like period". (Similar to a court case where a judge must declare his/her ineligibility to serve in that case if he/she has any connection to the defendant). But in this case the responsibility could be both on the judge and/or competitor to prove that the teaching had not taken place. 

This should be a self-regulating rule and up to the discretion of the judge where he or she would feel that the perception of his/her impartiality / judgement may be challenged or questioned. 

Possible Guidelines: 

If a teacher teaches a student (your own) or the student of another teacher: 

• for payment (money or other forms of payment ie a friendship situation)
• or not for payment (e.g. if one teacher ill)
• within 12 months
• on a one on one basis or as part of a group
• as a one off lesson or for a series of lessons
• in his/her studio, or another's studio or in a hall
• and may or may not have a special relationship (ie friend) with the other teacher

then such instances could be considered as being caught by Rule 33 and the judge would be advised to decline to judge that student or students. 

A situation that would not be caught would be at a group workshop / seminar / Summer School / and taught under the auspices of an official organisation where the situation is "Open".

Question 8: Can overseas pipers and dancers compete in Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand's competitions in New Zealand? 
Answer: Yes. All overseas pipers and dancers are truly welcome at P & D competitions. As long as the overseas piper or dancer pays the necessary subscription ($50 for senior members or $30 for junior members) then there is no restriction on these individuals entering a P & D competition.