Treeby (21) has been a staunch Wellingtonian since his school days at Tawa College and has represented the province every year since making his debut in the under-16 team.
He made his first-class debut for Wellington in 2009 and has now played 25 games for the union.
He is now off contract with Wellington but has the option of re-signing or accepting lucrative offers from Otago and Southland.
"I will just have to weigh up the options to see what is best for me and my future, " Treeby said yesterday.
"I'm in the process of sorting things out and should make a decision within a month."
It has been a year of decisions for Treeby who decided to join the Highlanders instead of staying in his home town with the Hurricanes.
He thought about the options for three weeks before signing with the Highlanders.
"It is a better platform for me in Dunedin. I will get more game time," Treeby said.
He realised he only had the prospect of limited game time as a midfield back with the Hurricanes, a team that contains the All Black midfield combination of Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu.
"That's why I moved down here. It's a great opportunity for me and a great stepping stone for me," he said.
"The more I thought about it I realised it was a huge opportunity and I'd better take it."
Treeby played 12 games in his debut year for Wellington in 2009 and added 13 games this year.
He was a member of the New Zealand under-20 team that won the World Cup in Japan last year.
He did not make the Hurricanes wider training squad this year and desperately wanted to break into the Super 15 competition.
"It was my goal to get a Super 15 contract and now I have it's a relief," he said.
"It will be a huge step up from the ITM Cup. I will have to work hard on my game to get the little things like my passing, catching and my fitness to a standard where I can compete at this level."
He realises that the skill level, the physicality and the speed of rugby is higher in the Super 15.
"There are no weak links in team at this level from one to 15," he said. "I will have to work hard on my game to get up there."
Treeby has a close relationship with new Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph and this was an important factor in him signing with the Highlanders.
"I like Jamie's brand of rugby," he said. "It suits my style of game. That was another factor that persuaded me to come down here."
Joseph is an uncompromising coach who likes to play a quick-moving game.
"There are opportunities for players like myself on the outside," he said.
"I know what to expect with Jamie and I haven't found it too hard fitting in down here."
Treeby has never been to South Africa and expects to find the trips away in the Super 15 exciting.
He has a relaxed approach to big games.
"I like to relax before big games and not get too wound up," he said. "I enjoy movies, watching TV and listening to my I Pod."
Treeby is keen to help Joseph write a new chapter for the franchise next year.
"We want to put a bit of heat on the big teams in the Super 15 and gain respect back for the Highlanders, " he said.
FACT FILE
- Shaun Treeby
• Born: New Plymouth.
• Age: 21.
• Education: Tawa College, Wellington.
• Position: Midfield back.
• Record: 2009-10, Wellington (25 games); 2009, NZ under 20 World Cup, Japan (winner).
