Croatian New Zealanders
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 2,550[1] - 100,000(est.)[2] | |
| Languages | |
| New Zealand English, Croatian | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity |
Croatian New Zealanders refers to New Zealand citizens of Croatian descent. There are 2,550 people who declared their nationality as Croats in the 2006 New Zealand census.[3] The majority of these are located primarily in and around Auckland and Northland with small numbers in and around Canterbury and Southland.[4] It is estimated that over 100,000 people have Croatian ancestry.[5]
History
The earliest Croatian settlers in New Zealand date from the 1860s, largely arriving as sailors, gold miners, prospectors and pioneers. Following this, five significant influxes of Croats have arrived:[6]
- 5,000 between 1890 and 1914, prior to World War I.
- 1,600 during the 1920s before the onset of the Great Depression.
- 600 in the 1930s, prior to World War II.
- 3,200 between 1945 and 1970.
- Arrivals during the 1990s, fleeing the conflict in former Yugoslavia.
In July 2008, 800 people attended a celebration of 150 years of Croatian settlement in New Zealand hosted by Prime Minister Helen Clark and Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter.[7]
The main destination for early settlers was the Northland gum fields where the young boys were sent to dig Kauri tree gum from swamps which until the 1950s was used to varnish wooden furniture and the likes. Here on these fields, as outcasts by the British Empire and called 'Austrians' because of the passport they carried they were looked at with suspicion. Mainly because they worked hard and fast in a gang rather who would share profits and send money back to their villages in Dalmatia. Many British settlers who worked the same fields resented the Dalmatian gum-diggers, whom they nicknamed "Dallies", a term which is still occasionally used. On these fields as outcasts, they Croatian immigrants were thrown together with the other outcasts, the native Māori people who having many of the same view points and coming from villages themselves got on extremely well.
Many Croatian men married Māori women as they came to New Zealand as bachelors before a bride could be sent from their home village. The local Maori called them Tarara because they spoke in Croatian very fast. Many Māori nowadays refer to themselves as Tarara and carry Croatian family names.
Notable Croatian New Zealanders
Academics
James Belich - Historian
Arts
Architecture
Stephen Jelicich - Founder of Jasmax/ JASMaD
Ivan Mercep - Founder of Jasmax/ JASMaD
Artists
Comedians
Designers
Business
Chandler family - Richard Chandler and Christopher Chandler. Public and Private Equity company.
Huljich family - Food manufacturing, property, new business startups, finance and movie-making
Journalism
Simon Mercep - radio and television presenter
Literature
Amelia Batistich - Author
Musicians
Ella Yelich-O’Connor (Lorde)
Politics/ Public Service
Sir James Belich - Former Mayor of Wellington
Frana Cardno - Former Mayor of Southland District
Fred Gerbic - Former Member of Parliament
Tau Henare - Former Member of Parliament
Shane Jones - Former Member of Parliament
Dover Samuels - Former Member of Parliament
Clem Simich – Former Member of Parliament
Dame Mira Szaszy - Maori Leader
Sports
Cricket
Football
Abby Erceg – NZ Football Ferns football player
Tony Laus - All Whites football player
Paul Urlovic - All Whites football player
Ivan Vicelich - All Whites football player
Chris Zoricich – All Whites football player
Golf
Hockey
John Radovonich – NZ hockey player
Rugby
Anthony Boric – All Black player
Kevin Boroevich – All Black player
Frano Botica – All Black/ NZ rugby league/ Croatian Rugby
Mike Brewer – All Black player
Mark Carter – All Black player
Greg Cooper – All Black player
Matt Cooper – All Black/ Croatian Rugby
Percy Erceg – All Black player
Sean Fitzpatrick – All Black player
Ron Urlich – All Black player
Ivan Vodanovich – All Black player/ coach
Rugby League
Frano Botica – All Black/ NZ rugby league/ Croatian Rugby
Tony Kriletich - NZ rugby league
Swimming
Tennis
Other
Robbie Francevic - motor rallying driver
Paul Radisich – world touring car champion
Greg Yelavich - shooter
Wineries
Sir George Fistonich - Founder of Villa Maria Estates Nobilo family - Nikola Nobilo the founder of Nobilo wines. Nick Nobilo founder of Vinoptima wines
Literature
- Trupinić, Damir. (2009) New Zealand Croatian Immigrant Press 1899-1916, LAP Lambert Academic Publishing, ISBN 978-3-8383-0743-5.
- Božić-Vrbančić, Senka. (2008) Tarara: Croats and Maori in New Zealand : memory, belonging, identity, Otago University Press, ISBN 978-1-877372-09-4.
References
- ^ "The Encyclopedia of New Zealand - Story: Dalmatians". Retrieved 2013-04-13.
- ^ "Carter: NZ Celebrates 150 Years Of Kiwi-Croatian Culture". Voxy. Digital Advance Limited. July 30, 2008. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
- ^ "The Encyclopedia of New Zealand - Story: Dalmatians". Retrieved 2013-04-13.
- ^ From Distant Villages: the lives and times of Croatian settlers in New Zealand, 1858-1958
- ^ "Carter: NZ Celebrates 150 Years Of Kiwi-Croatian Culture". Voxy. Digital Advance Limited. July 30, 2008. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
- ^ "Book & Print in New Zealand : A Guide to Print Culture in Aotearoa". Retrieved 2009-08-13.
- ^ "Carter: NZ Celebrates 150 Years Of Kiwi-Croatian Culture". Voxy. Digital Advance Limited. July 30, 2008. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
