http://www.croatianclub.co.nz/news/emigration.php Dalmatia is and has always been a part of Croatia. In the 1880s when the first Dalmatians came to New Zealand, the Austro-Hungarian empire ruled Dalmatia, and this is why they were often mistakenly called ‘Austrians’ in New Zealand. After Austria-Hungary was defeated in the First World War, Dalmatia was incorporated into the new Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. In 1929 this was renamed Yugoslavia. In New Zealand, Croatian immigrants have been known as Croatians, Dalmatians but also as Yugoslavs.

Stages and reasons in the migration to New Zealand

1. wave - early pioneers - the loners, seafarers, mobile and unsettled
2. wave - econmic pressure - gumfields from 1892-1899, supporting their families at home
3. wave - 1902-1914 - generally family members of previous group, sent to help families or to avoid service in Austro Hungarian forces. Largest group.
4. wave - 1921 - 1940 - large scale movement of wives, families and single mana and women.
5. from 1946 onwards - consistent migration from Dalmatia, joined by other migrants from ex-Yugoslavia

The intention is to include the first member of the family born in Croatia and died in New Zealand.

From Distant Villages, by Stephen Jelicich

Early pioneers - 19th century

• Nicolo (Nikola) Radove (1834-88)
• Peter Tomanovich (1834-1920)
• Mariano Vella (1855-1929)
• Nicholas Sentch (1839-1928)
• Pavel Sabo Lupis (1834-1916)
• Jerome Bakotich (1856-?)
• Lui Kinkela
• Matthew Harliwich (1857-1939)
• Paul Arnerich (1847-?)
• Andrew Baretich (1835-1937)
• Matteo Gibens (1857-1929)
• Thomas Pavletich
• George Vucetich
• Peter Vragnizan (Vranjican)
• Peter Yelavich (1896-1989)
• Nicholas Covich (1887-1963)
• Josip (Joseph) Franich (1867-1921)
• Ivo (John) Segetin (1873-1960)
• Matthew Andrew Ferri (1870-1936)
• Antonio Sarich
• Mihovil Dominik (Mick) Vitali (1881-1969)
• Joseph Viscoe/Viscovich (1836-1911)
• Ante (Tony) Kosovich (1879-1958)
• Jakob Vincent Kurta (Kurtic) (1877-1965)
• Catherine Vella(Marinović) (1865-1952)
• Steve Ozich (Ožić) (1890-1994)
• Ivan Bilich (1868-1907) and Martin Bilich (1870-1944)
• Romeo Bragato (1859-1910)
• Stephen Yelas (1874-1946)
• George Frankovich (1879-1928) - Frankovich brothers
• Šimun Mijo Ujdur (1882-1953)
• Josip (Joe) Babich (1895-1983)
• Bogoslav Sokolich (1896-1986)
• Mijo (Mick) Brajkovich (1999-1949)
• Matthew (Mate) George Brajkovich (1888-1949)
• Matthew (Mate) George Brajkovich OBE (1925-1992)
• Frank and Mate Yukich, 1961
• Frank Yukich (born 1931)
• George Fistonich DCNZM (born 1939)
• George Thomas Mazuran OBE, JP (1909-82)
• George Leon Scansie (Skansi) (1877-1926)
• John Mark Totich MBE (1882-1957)
• Alfred Ernest Harding (1861-1946)
• [http://www.geni.com/people/Ljubo-Jaki%C4%87-Jakich/324354969160007744 Ljubo (Len) Jakić/Jakich (1910-1990)
• Jakov Kavalinović (1880-1937)

Post First World War

• ]
• Marin Simich (1891-1969) Kruno Marusic (1908-94) Mate Marin Kuluz (1888-1932) http://www.geni.com/people/Visko-Matich/6000000006912368293 Visko Matich (1890-1970)
• Frank Nola (1879-1964)
• Mate Glamuzina (1894-1987)
• Mate Matich (1895-1958)
• Zlatko Balokovic: violinist
• Sir James Belich: Mayor Wellington 1986-1992
• Dorothea Franchi (1920-2003): musician and composer
• Professor Marie D. Pasalich-Neale, AM, OBE (1922-): scholar, academic and sportswoman
• Vinka Millicent Marinovich (1926-): musician, teacher, composer and conductor --
• Mark Anthony Marinovich QSM (1908-91)
• Amelia Batistich (1915-2004)
• Father Josef Zanna
• Reverend don Milan Pavlinovich (1879-1962)
• Monsignor George (Jure) Marinovich (1915-93)
• Tony Anthony Petrie (Petrich) (1882-1969) and Fabian Petrie (Petrich) (1878-1965)
• Clem (Kleme) Jurlina (1889-1973)
• Peter Mandeno Sulenta (1872-1964)
• Mate Srhoj (1871-1964) --
• Marino Glucina (1876-1936)
• Romolo (Ronald) Scopinich (1841-1919)
• Tony Antunovich (1889-1953) and Barisa (Bob) Antunovich (1892-1949)
• Marijan (Marin) Devcich (1879-1953)
• Visko Gilich (1899-1989) -
• Mate Frankovich (1916-2004) --
• Michael Marinovich (1907-2002)
• Fabian Yukich (1910-2002)
• Ivan Tomasevich (1897-1988)
• Nikola Skokandich (1906-93)
• Marin Ivicevich (1901-95)
• Simun Mercep (1891-1982)
• Dr Miroslav Crkvenac (1908-93)
• Fred Franich (1882-1969)
• Matthew Alach (1887-1976)