Croatian Ambassador respects our history

Croatian Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand Dr Damir Kusen, with Joyce Vinac, with a pair of original gumboots used by Dalmatian gumdiggers in the Far North's gum fields.

Almost 160 years of Dalmatian influence and contribution to the Far North has left Croatian Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand Damir Kusen feeling proud and amazed.

Dr Kusen, who is based in Canberra, Australia, visited Kaitaia yesterday to meet with members of the Dalmatian Club of Kaitaia and to visit sites associated with the Dalmatian migration to the Far North that started almost 160 years ago.

The Dalmatians came to work the kauri gumfields of the Far North and now more than 100,000 New Zealanders list themselves as having Croatian heritage. Dalmatia is one of the four historical regions of Croatia.

Dr Kusen had breakfast with Far North Mayor John Carter and he said he was proud that Mr Carter praised the contribution Dalmatians had made to the Far North and the country.

He also visited Gumdiggers Park and Ancient Buried Kauri Forest, north of Kaitaia, to see the conditions many of those early gum hunters came to work in. It was the ambassador's first time in the Far North and came at the invitation of the Kaitaia Dalmatian Cultural Club.

"I was very surprised to see so many people of Dalmatian descent here. They came more than 150 years ago to some very harsh conditions, but they were embraced by the Maori people because they shared the same values," Dr Kusen said.

"The were about hard work and family and helping each other out and they shared the harsh conditions with the people here. And that's why they were so easily accepted.

"I am surprised and very proud at the recognition given to the contribution of Croatian and Dalmatian people to the area."

He was impressed by his tour around Gumdiggers Park, which has original gumdigger huts and a store, equipment, including an early petrol-powered chainsaw a small mill and many other items.

"It's amazing to see the conditions they lived and worked in. But I'm also proud to see the innovation they used here," Dr Kusen said. "Innovation and creating and using new technology was important and what drove them on."

He was amazed when he saw an old photograph on the park's wall of gumdiggers in front of a kauri log 6-7m in diameter.

"It was a very harsh environment, but they were in it with the Maori and other locals and those circumstances helped build the friendships that have lasted such a long time and helped them integrate."

Kaye Dragicevich, from the Kaitaia Dalmatian Cultural Club, said it was an honour to host the ambassador and show him the Dalmatian history of the area.

The club also hosted Dr Kusen at a dinner last night.