Polish New Zealanders refers to New Zealand citizens or residents of full or partial Polish ancestry, or Polish citizens living in New Zealand. The 2018 census counted 2,871 New Zealanders who claim Polish ancestry.
History
Small numbers of Polish people began to arrive to New Zealand throughout the 19th century. Among these, many were among the "Brogdenites" employed to build stretches of New Zealand's main railway lines. Many of these settled in small towns close to the rail line such as Greytown (now Allanton) in Otago.
During World War I and World War II, many Polish people became refugees and were relocated to other countries such as New Zealand.
In 1948, The Polish Association was founded by Polish immigrants, to support and to provide a sense of community and togetherness.
Notable Polish New Zealanders
John Blumsky, broadcaster Mark Blumsky, politician Helen Schamroth, craft artist and author. Mirosław Złotkowski, wrestler Simon Mercep, journalist Count Geoffrey Potocki de Montalk Dallin Watene-Zelezniak Łukasz Buda Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, snowboarder Lisa Warrington Kazimierz Wodzicki Alfred Ngaro, politician Krystyna Tomaszyk, writer and social activist
Gallery
See also
New Zealand–Poland relations Polish diaspora Immigration to New Zealand European New Zealanders Europeans in Oceania Polish Australians
References