Croatian New Zealanders

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]

Notable Croatian New Zealanders

Academics

James Belich - Historian

Arts

Architecture

Stephen Jelicich - Founder of Jasmax/ JASMaD

Ivan Mercep - Founder of Jasmax/ JASMaD

Artists

Milan Mrkusich

Comedians

Rose Matafeo

Business

• Huljich family - Food manufacturing, property, new business startups, finance and movie-making
• Sir George Fistonich - Founder of Villa Maria Estates
• Nobilo family - Nikola Nobilo the founder of Nobilo wines.

Journalism

Simon Mercep - radio and television presenter

Literature

Amelia Batistich - Author

Musicians

• Kevin Borich
• Peter Posa
• Peter Urlich
• Margaret Urlich
• Ella Yelich-O’Connor (Lorde)

Politics

• 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

Anton Devcich

Joseph Yovich

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

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
• Greg Cooper – All Black player
• Matt Cooper – All Black/ Croatian Rugby
• Percy Erceg – 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

Other

• Robbie Francevic - motor rallying driver
• Frank Nobilo golf player
• John Radovonich – NZ hockey player
• Paul Radisich – world touring car champion
• Anna Simcic swimmer
• Greg Yelavich - shooter
• Marina Erakovic tennis player
• Onny Parun tennis player

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

See also

• List of Croats

Immigration to New Zealand
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See also	Refugees in New Zealand Immigration New Zealand