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. The majority of these are located primarily in and around Auckland and Northland with small numbers in and around Canterbury and Southland. It is estimated that over 100,000 people have Croatian ancestry.
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:
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.
James Belich - Historian
Stephen Jelicich - Founder of Jasmax/ JASMaD
Ivan Mercep - Founder of Jasmax/ JASMaD
Milan Mrkusich
Rose Matafeo
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.
Simon Mercep - radio and television presenter
Amelia Batistich - Author
Kevin Borich
Peter Posa
Peter Urlich
Margaret Urlich
Ella Yelich-O’Connor (Lorde)
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
Anton Devcich
Joseph Yovich
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
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
Frano Botica – All Black/ NZ rugby league/ Croatian Rugby Tony Kriletich - NZ rugby league
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
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.
