A bit of Irish in us all

The New Zealand-Irish connection is as strong as any in the world. About 20 per cent of New Zealanders have Irish ancestry, says the Taihape-based New Zealand Ireland Association.

In 1893, according to the New Zealand Irish Directory 2001, a third of New Zealand's population was Irish-born. And it reminds us of the influence Irishmen had on the development of this country.

In the 1840s, for example, the country's three provinces were named after Irish ones: "New Ulster" (North Island), "New Leinster" (South Island) and "New Munster" (Stewart Island).

The Duke of Wellington, after whom our capital is named, was born in Dublin.

Governor William Hobson was born in Waterford, the home of Waterford crystal. Governor George Grey, who succeeded him, had an Irish mother. Another Irishman, George Ferguson Bowen, was governor from 1868 to 1873.

Eight New Zealand prime ministers were either born in Ireland or were of Irish-born parents. One, John Ballance, was prime minister in 1893 when New Zealand became the first country to give its women the vote.

Irish-born MP Sir Maurice O'Rourke was instrumental in founding the University of Auckland. Similarly, Thomas Russell in founding the Bank of New Zealand.

James Dilworth, from County Tyrone, established Dilworth School in Auckland. Antrim-born Robert Hannah founded Hannah's shoe stores.

An Irishman is said to have sparked the Otago gold rush. Another, John Kelly, is often referred to as the first European settler of Invercargill. Dargaville is named after Joseph Dargaville, from Cork.