New Zealand Wineries
In The Auckland Region

At AllPosters

On a tour through New Zealand wineries in the Auckland region, wine enthusiasts stumble upon names like Brajkovich, Fistonich, Soljan, Ivicevich, Nobilo, Babich, Ozich, Delegats. These are all names originally from Dalmatia today’s Croatia.

150 years ago in 1858 the first Dalmatian’s arrived at New Zealand shores. They left their small Province at the Adriatic coast with limited prospects to supporting its inhabitants.

Reasons for the different migration streams varied. At the beginning population growth put pressure on scares resources then a trade agreement signed with Italy excluded Dalmatia and put it in an outsider position. With their main income obtained on farms, quarries, fisheries, sea faring and wine production many chose to seek opportunities overseas to secure their families survival. Later the reasons to leave changed to escape the Second World War.

Coming from Dalmatia they often were mistakenly called Austrian’s and therefore seen and treated as enemies in the British eyes. This made life difficult. Strong willed with enormous perseverance these people worked in goldmines on the South Island and dug gum in northern part of North Island’s Kauri forests.

During those early years settler’s bonded with the Maori population up north. Out of this relation grew the name Tarara which clearly differentiates them to the rest of population with European descendants. They carried the name Pakeha.

As the Dalmatians had strong ties to their homeland and their families the plan always was to return. The ones returning from New Zealand described it as the land of good opportunities. Homecoming they found their home and country destroyed and in poverty. For many these were reasons enough to go back to New Zealand.

Dalmatians left their traces in Northland:

Dargaville commemorates the gum diggers with a memorial. While the welcome sign in Kaitaia greeting trilingual with HAERE MAI, DOBRO DOS̆LI and WELCOME. Other evidence shows families that are proud descendants of more than one ethnic group.

The traditions brought led to the fact that especially in the West Auckland area around Henderson and Kumeo many New Zealand wineries are owned by Dalmatians. Knowledge and passion was their fuel for thriving vineyards that earned internationally high acknowledgement. In expanding to other regions they were pioneers of New Zealand wines and viticulture.

Find here details about a full day tour wine tasting at Auckland's west coast.

Nowadays these proud people show their expertise in all sorts of areas. They reached their goal in sculpting a successful life for themselves and their families.

New Zealand wineries signify one area other popular role models are:

Dame Mira Sazy half Maori half Dalmatian became the first Maori woman university graduate. Later she was president of the Māori Women’s Welfare League.

Milan Mrkusich architect and painter who reflected first the abstract movement

Franco Botica who played rugby for the All Blacks and the "Kiwi League".

Fostered by a strong sense of community Croatian clubs were established to meet, keep customs, dance, and language alive. Their uniqueness sculpts and enriches New Zealand’s diversity.

Learn more about Croatian emigrates. Why they emigrated and where to.

More resources about Croatia are found here.

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