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-makingSir George Fistonich - Founder of Villa Maria EstatesNobilo family - Nikola Nobilo the founder of Nobilo wines.Simon Mercep - radio and television presenter
Amelia Batistich - Author
Kevin BorichPeter PosaPeter UrlichMargaret UrlichElla Yelich-O’Connor (Lorde)Sir James Belich - Former Mayor of WellingtonFrana Cardno - Former Mayor of Southland DistrictFred Gerbic - Former Member of ParliamentTau Henare - Former Member of ParliamentShane Jones - Former Member of ParliamentDover Samuels - Former Member of ParliamentClem Simich – Former Member of ParliamentDame Mira Szaszy - Maori LeaderAnton 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 playerKevin Boroevich – All Black playerFrano Botica – All Black/ NZ rugby league/ Croatian RugbyMike Brewer – All Black playerGreg Cooper – All Black playerMatt Cooper – All Black/ Croatian RugbyPercy Erceg – All Black playerRon Urlich – All Black playerIvan Vodanovich – All Black player/ coachFrano Botica – All Black/ NZ rugby league/ Croatian Rugby Tony Kriletich - NZ rugby league
Robbie Francevic - motor rallying driverFrank Nobilo golf playerJohn Radovonich – NZ hockey playerPaul Radisich – world touring car championAnna Simcic swimmerGreg Yelavich - shooterMarina Erakovic tennis playerOnny Parun tennis playerTrupinić, 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.