Purpose

The Society was formed 78 years ago by a group of Shetlanders who had left their homeland and settled in New Zealand. Not only did many Shetlanders live in the greater Wellington Region, but as Wellington was the Capital City situated at the mid point of the country, it made sense to establish the society here. Many Shetlanders settled in the Eastern and Southern Suburbs because of the ease of access to the sea for fishing. Island Bay on the South Coast had a flourishing Shetland and Italian fishing community but sadly the Shetland link has faded and the number of Italian fishermen dwindled as well. At later dates other Shetland Societies were formed in New Zealand.

Over time the focus of the Society has shifted as the flow of immigrants from Shetland has all but ceased and younger decendants do not always have the time or inclination to be involved, not only with our Society, but with many other traditional organisations. While our Society is still very active in organsing a series of functions throughout the year and in keeping in touch with our members , we have also taken steps to provide information about Shetland to a wider group of New Zealanders. In 1997, the Committee, with the asistance of the Wellington City Council, The Lotteries Commission, The British High Commission and BP, was able to assemble and education kit that was distributed to several hundred schools in the Wellington Region. At the same time time, the Society arranged for two local historians to write a book, Chips off the Auld Rock,  about the Society. No mean feat for a small Society.