In November 1998 several New Zealanders living in Scotland felt there was a need for a Kiwi network North of the border. New Zealand Society Scotland was formed and is an independent component of the New Zealand Society UK www.nzsociety.co.uk.

We are focused on ‘Keeping Kilted Kiwi's In Touch' through organising social events throughout Scotland each year. Our membership is open to everyone with a connection to New Zealand. Since inception  those with strong links to the land of the long white cloud have made new friendships at our functions and events.

Our motto ‘ Kia Pono Tonu' translates to ‘Be Faithful' .

Key events in our calendar are our Waitangi Celebration, ANZAC Ceremony each year at Arbroath's Western Cemetery and Scottish National Hangi. Representatives of the NZ High Commission  in London have attended several events to reinforce the links between the High Commission and New Zealanders living in Scotland.

In addition to our scheduled events several special links between New Zealand and Scotland have been marked. In May 1998 NZS Scotland organised our first large event, a concert in Scone (attended by over 200 people) by the London based Ngati Ranana cultural group to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of the settlement of Otago by Scottish pioneers. The second major event was the dedication of a memorial plaque to NZ airmen who died in Scotland during WWII at the Scottish Museum of Flight in May 2002 - ‘ They Watch Over Scotia Still' . The plaque is displayed in Hangar 1 next to the military aircraft display. We have visited Hill of Fearn Primary School in Ross-shire and Robert Gordon College in Aberdeen, the former where NZ Prime Minister Peter Fraser spent his schooling and the latter is the home of the 'OTAKI' scholar. 

Eric Milligan is the honorary New Zealand consul for Scotland, based in Edinburgh. Eric is very supportive of the New Zealand Society in Scotland and where possible ensures that we are advised of functions and events that the Society may wish to participate in or be represented.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TO CONTACT US EMAIL newzealandsociety.scotland@googlemail.com

Ereti Mitchell - President

Anne Jack - Treasurer

Alistair Duthie - Vice President

Alison Duthie - Secretary

Joanne Watson - Web Manager

Wallace Mitchell - Newsletter