Introductory Grade - for ages 5 to 10 years
The Introductory Grade is marching for the beginner. It teaches the basic skills and a simplified routine in a non-competitive grade and acts as an introduction to marching prior to entering the competitive Under 12 Grade.

Designed for a team of 4 -10 marchers, with a minimum age of 5 years and maximum of 10 years, girls will march standard drills, a very basic set routine and have opportunities to march at local Association competitions and events. 

Participants build social skills, self esteem, self discipline, co-ordination, appreciation of music and physical fitness.

Under 13 Grade - for ages 7 to 12 years 
The Under 13 Grade is the earliest competitive marching grade for marchers aged 7-12 years. It is a more skilled level and more disciplined grade comprising a set format of a technical drill routine and an own choice display routine.

Teams can perform either Technical Drill or Display, or both. Teams are judged and rewarded with awards - trophies and medals. They have opportunities to march at local Association competitions and events and also at Island and New Zealand Championships.

A Team consists of 7-10 marchers in a Technical Drill Team and 7-14 marchers in a Display Team. A marcher must be a minimum age of 7 years and a maximum age of under 13 years.

Under 18 Grade - for ages 12 to 17 years 
The Under 18 Grade is the next step for older marchers 12 – 17 years. It is an advanced skill level grade of competitive marching comprising a set format of a technical drill routine and an own choice display routine.

Teams can perform either a set Technical Drill or own choice Display routine of approximately 2:30 - 3:15 minutes, or both. Teams are judged and rewarded with awards - trophies and medals. The team has opportunities to march at local Association competitions and events and also at Island and New Zealand Championships.

A Team consists of 7-10 marchers in a Technical Drill Team and 7-14 marchers in a Display Team. Marchers must be a minimum age of 12 years and a maximum age of under 17 years.

Senior Grade - for those 17 years and over  
The Senior Grade is for marchers from a minimum age of 17 years with no upper limit.

A more complex skill level is required for the competitive Senior Grade. It comprises a set format of a technical drill routine and an own choice display routine of approximately 2:45 - 3:30 minutes. Teams can perform either Technical or Display or both.

Teams are judged and rewarded with awards - trophies and medals. The Team has opportunities to march at local Association competitions and events and at Island and New Zealand Championships. Occasionally invitations may be extended to participate in international events like the ANZ Trans-Tasman Marching & DrillDance Tattoo. 

A Team consists of 7-10 marchers in a Technical Drill Team and 7-14 marchers in a Display Team. A marcher must be a minimum age of 17 years and there is no maximum age.

Masters Grade - for those 30 years and over 
The Masters Grade is for marchers from a minimum age of 30 years with no upper limit. Whilst still a competitive grade, this grade also caters for those marchers who remain passionate about the sport but have a focus on participating for fun and friendship.

Teams perform a set format of a technical drill routine and an own choice display routine of approximately 2:15 - 3:00 minutes. Teams can perform either Technical Drill or Display or both.

Teams are judged and rewarded with awards - trophies and medals. The Team has opportunities to march at local Association competitions and events, at Island and New Zealand Championships and Masters Games. 

A Team consists of 7-10 marchers in a Technical Drill Team and 7-14 marchers in a Display Team. A marcher must be a minimum age of 30 years and there is no maximum age.

Coaching 
MNZ provides training workshops and a Coaching Accreditation Programme for all coaches.

If you’re interested in becoming a coach, contact Marching Auckland and submit a Request to Coach Form. The Committee will support you with your Coaching.

Coaches are encouraged to attend workshops and it is a requirement to attain MNZ
Accreditation Level One after one year of Coaching to retain coaching status.

For coaching assistance Marching Auckland has a Coaching Co-ordinator and the MNZ Director of Coaching appoints Coaching Mentors each season.

Judging 
MNZ provides training for all Judges who are trained for the appropriate section they are adjudicating with Accreditation levels at Trainee, Qualified, National Qualified and International.

The Judging system is based on Awarding and judges adjudicate in an objective and unbiased manner and in compliance with the criteria stipulated.

Judges wishing to return to the sport after 2 years can sit a Refresher Exam and continue at their previous status.

Administration 
Each local Association comprises a Committee and undertake to promote, encourage, administer and control the Sport of Marching in their geographic area.

Committee Members contribute to the operational side of the affairs of the Association in accordance with the day-to-day financial management with an approved budget.

In doing so they create and provide opportunities for all participants to reach their potential and gain maximum enjoyment from their involvement in the sport.