Contributions of Croatians from Dalmatia in New Zealand honoured at museum
- by croatiaweek
- in Entertainment

Some members of the Tarara Folklore Ensemble prior to their performance of the New Zealand Kolo.
The Croatian diaspora in Auckland and across New Zealand has reached a significant milestone.
Thanks to the efforts of curators at the Auckland War Memorial Museum (AWMM) and the Dalmatian Cultural Society, the community is now officially recognised in the ‘Tāmaki Herenga Waka: Stories of Auckland’ gallery.
This long-overdue recognition affirms the presence and contributions of immigrants from Croatia’s Dalmatia region in New Zealand for over a century.
A display case honouring the Dalmatian community was unveiled at a ceremony at the Museum on Tuesday, 28 January, symbolising the vital role Croatians from Dalmatia have played in the history of Auckland.
During the 1940s, over 700 Dalmatian New Zealanders lived and worked in the central city, running fish shops, restaurants, dairies, and boarding houses. Two clubs on Hobson Street served as cultural and social hubs for the community.

The display case with a gown by Croatian designer Vinka Lucas, A New Zealand Kolo Costume, and photographs of past Kolo dancers, and to the left Paul Marinovich at the Auckland Fish Markets circa late1950’s
The importance of music, song and dance
Music, song, and dance have always been central to the Dalmatian Cultural Society, which has a 95-year history. A traditional kolo costume—worn by generations of kolo dancers—features prominently in the new display. “Kolo,” meaning “wheel” or “circle,” refers to traditional dances from Dalmatia in Croatia and the surrounding region.
At the ceremony, the Tarara Folklore Ensemble performed the New Zealand Dalmatian Kolo, a dance created by early settlers from the music and steps they knew from “back home” and first performed in Auckland in 1935.
The dance remains unique to New Zealand, and, for many years, it was the sole choreography performed at Dalmatian-Croatian clubs across the North Island, and a rite of passage for young folk.
Today, the Tarara Folklore Ensemble preserves this heritage with a repertoire of 10 to 12 choreographies.

The Dalmatian Choir behind the Dalmatian Tamburica Orchestra
Among those first kolo dancers were the grandparents of the event’s MC Vanya Piacun, who recounted how their story underscores the huge societal importance of kolo.
Historically, kolo brought young people together, and was often the only social activity available to them, or permitted by parents. Many lifelong partnerships were formed on the dance floor, with generations of “kolo marriages” and the families which followed strengthening the community. Even today, this tradition continues, with two engaged couples in the current Tarara Folklore Ensemble.
The display also features a large photograph of Paul Marinovich, a key figure in the community’s musical heritage.
For many years, Paul taught traditional instruments and led the Dalmatian Cultural Society’s Tamburica Orchestra. Although he passed away in 2024, his legacy continues through his successor, Nic Cebalo, and his son, Michael Marinovich, who remains a central figure in the music ensemble.
A glaring omission, addressed
Three years ago, a visit by Slavenka Misa to the ‘Stories of Auckland’ gallery revealed a glaring omission—no mention of the Dalmatian-Croatian community, despite their contributions to Auckland’s fishing industry, horticulture, winemaking, and quarry work since the 1860s.

Atrium of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Tarara Folklore Ensemble Kolo dancers, Tamburica Orchestra, some of the audience
Determined to address this, Slavenka and the team from the Dalmatian Archive & Museum, part of the Dalmatian Cultural Society, reached out to AWMM curators. A meeting in December 2023 led to the creation of the new exhibit.
The Dalmatian Cultural Society has donated three kolo costumes to AWMM, with one currently on display. Photographs have been digitised, and artifacts from the museum’s collection incorporated.
This partnership has strengthened cultural ties and ensured that the history of Croatians from Dalmatia in New Zealand is preserved.
The exhibit’s opening brought generations together, featuring music from the Tamburica Orchestra and a selection of songs from the Society’s Choir, as well as the Tarara Folklore Ensemble kolo performance.
This recognition by AWMM affirms that Dalmatians belong in Auckland’s history, ensuring their stories are shared with generations to come.

Description of the Display case at the Auckland War Memorial Museum
The Dalmatian Cultural Society extends heartfelt gratitude to Jane Groufsky, the Curator of Social History, and her team for their dedication. This exhibit marks the beginning of an ongoing effort to share more of the Dalmatian-Croatian community’s rich history and enduring legacy in New Zealand.
To find out more about the Dalmatian Cultural Society, including the Dalmatian Archive & Museum, visit https://www.dalmatian.org.nz, or you can contact them via email [email protected] or [email protected], or find them on Facebook.