Croatian New Zealanders


Croatian New Zealanders refers to New Zealand citizens of Croatian descent. It is estimated that over 100,000 New Zealanders have Croatian ancestry. There are 2,550 people who declared their nationality as Croats in the New Zealand census. The majority of these are located primarily in and around Auckland and Northland with small numbers in and around Canterbury and Southland.
The term Dally or Dallie was often used in New Zealand to refer to people of Croatian descent before Croatia gained independence in 1991. Most people of Croatian descent are now referred to as Croatians, reflecting Croatia’s independence. The Dalmatian Cultural Society, founded in 1930 and based in Auckland, adopted Dalmatian in its name upon Croatia’s independence. Other Croatian cultural societies in New Zealand, including those in Auckland, the Waikato, and Wellington, have recognized "Croatian" as the appropriate name to reflect the country's independence.

History

The earliest Croatian settlers in New Zealand date from the 1860s, largely arriving as sailors and pioneers, and as gold miners and prospectors during the Otago gold rush. The first person born in New Zealand of Croatian descent was Leander Thomas Pavletich in 1864. After the gold rush many moved to Northland attracted by kauri gum-digging, then a major source of income for Northland Māori and settlers. These early Dalmatian settlers were also responsible in large part for establishing the New Zealand wine industry. Forced off the kauri gumfields many moved into viticulture and winemaking instead, mainly in West Auckland around Kumeu, and in the Hawke's Bay region. Croatian family names such as Selak, Nobilo, Šoljan, Babich and Delegat still feature amongst the names of New Zealand's notable wineries, and two of the largest in New Zealand, Montana Wines and Villa Maria Estates, were established in the mid-20th century respectively by Croatian New Zealanders Ivan Yukich and Sir George Fistonich.
Croatian settlers have arrived in five main waves:
Croatian Catholic Mission in Auckland was established in 1904.
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.

Demographics

Together with the Irish, Croats are the most numerous ethnic group in Auckland. It is estimated that there are 100,000 people of Croatian descent in the country.

Religion

Croatian Catholic Mission in Auckland was established in 1904. In 1990, Mission was dedicated to the St. Leopold Mandić. Current Mission leader is Rev. Danko Bizjak, priest of the Diocese of Sisak. The Croatian Catholic Centre and Croatian Catholic Mission in Auckland operate in the area of the Holy Family parish in the western part of the city, established in 1960.
The first Mission leader was the Tyrolean missionary Josip Zanna, who spoke Croatian. After him, they were Milan Pavlinović from Podgora, Sebastijan Palić from Janjevo and Ante Klarić from Split ; an important figure in the work of the Mission was the priest of Croatian origin Jure Marinović.
In 1908, Croatian immigrants donated to the St Patrick's Cathedral in Auckland the Calvary sculptures, which were restored in 1998.
Several Croatian bishops have made pastoral visits to New Zealand: Josip Bozanić, Marin Barišić, Petar Palić and Marko Medo

Culture

The Dalmatian Cultural Society in Auckland was established in 1930. Croats of Auckland gather in the King Tomislav Folklore Ensemble, Croatian Club Incl. 1972. and Croatian cultural association. There are also Croatian cultural associations in the Waikato and Wellington.
The University of Auckland has a Department of Croatian language. There is a Croatian Catholic supplementary school in Auckland.

Sports

In October 2024, 24 New Zealand's rugby players of Croatian descent, led by Dave Jurlina, visited Croatia, following the example of similar visits organized in the 1970s and 1908s. The team played in Zagreb, Split and Makarska, with one game against the Croatian national team.

Diplomacy

There is Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia in Auckland.

Notable Croatian New Zealanders

Academics

Arts

Actors

  • Jessie Lawrence

Architecture

Artists

Comedians

Literature

Musicians

Business

  • Richard Chandler and Christopher Chandler - Investment companies
  • Ana Tzarev - Businesswoman and artist
  • Jim and Rosemari Delegat - Delegat Group Ltd - Delegat and Oyster Bay wine labels
  • Michael Erceg - Founder of Independent Liquor, now known as Asahi Beverages Ltd.
  • Sir George Fistonich - Founder of Villa Maria Estates and Čuvar Winery.
  • Huljich family - Food manufacturing, property, new business startups, finance and movie-making
  • Steve Jurkovich - Kiwibank CEO
  • Nobilo family and Nikola Nobilo - The founder of Nobilo wines
  • Peter and Tyler Rakich - Founders of Dynasty Sports, and sponsors of the NZ Rugby league team, NZ Warriors, Auckland City FC and Croatian rugby team
  • Talley family - Owners of Talley's Group
  • Peter Vela and the Vela family - Owners of Vela fishing and Pencarrow stud
  • Kevin Glucina - Founder of Matakana Super Foods

Fashion

  • Deanna Didovich - Designer
  • Jessica Grubisa - Designer
  • Vinka Lucas - Bridalwear designer
  • Tony And Margie Milich - Sabatini clothing label.
  • Peter Nola - Founder of clothing label "Peppertree Fashions" which was prominent in the 1960s to 1980s.
  • Valentin Ozich - Founder of clothing label "I Love Ugly".
  • Adrienne Winkelmann - Designer/ Fashion label

Journalism

  • Tony Ciprian - radio and television presenter
  • Simon Mercep - radio and television presenter
  • Goran Paladin - radio and television presenter

Law

Politics

Religion

Sports

Cricket

  • Anton Devcich - BLACKCAPS representative
  • Joseph Yovich
  • Ben Lister
  • Dusan Hakaraia - also Croatia rugby representative
  • Quinn Sunde
  • Daniel Marsic - Croatia cricket representative
  • John Vujnovich - Croatia cricket representative
  • Anthony Govorko - Croatia cricket representative
  • Anton Vujcich - Croatia cricket representative
  • Paul Vujnovich - Croatia cricket representative

Football

Motor sport

Rugby

Rugby League

Tennis

Other

Winemakers

  • Babich
  • Brajkovich - Kumeu River Wines
  • Delegat
  • Ivicevich - Founder of Westbrook Winery
  • Fistonich - Founder of Villa Maria Wines, Čuvar Winery and Obliix label
  • Mazuran
  • Nobilo
  • Selak
  • Soljan
  • Vuletic - Providence Wines
  • Yukich - founder of Montana Wines now known as Brancott Estate

Fictional Croatian New Zealanders

Literature

;Books
  • .
;Works
  • Krtalić, Maja; Hebrang Grgić, Ivana.