American New Zealander
Encyclopedia
American New Zealanders are people who have migrated
from the United States
to New Zealand
, and their descendants, if they choose to identify as such. American New Zealanders
constitute a small minority of New Zealand's population. In the 2006 census in New Zealand, when asked to indicate their ethnic identity, 10,806 New Zealanders described themselves as "American", and 17,751 stated they were born in the United States. This marks a sizeable increase, in proportional terms, from the 8,451 US-born New Zealanders in 1991. In 2006, there were also 489 persons born in American Samoa
and living in New Zealand.
Americans began visiting New Zealand at the very end of the 18th century. These settled the nation as discharged British soldiers and sailors, as convicts (who were arrested at sea for maritime offenses, tried, and transported), and as whalers, sealers, or travelers. Many of these who were brought to New Zealand had a temporary stay and were returned and/or brought to New South Wales
in neighboring Australia
. In 1839, there were about 50 Americans living in New Zealand, constituting about 4% of the non-Māori population of the country's North Island
. That number increased to 306 in 1858, 720 in 1861, and 1,213 in 1871, an increase due primarily to a gold rush
in Otago
. Subsequently, there were only 881 Americans living in New Zealand in 1901, but their numbers then increased to 1,713 in 1951, 8,383 in 1976, and 13,347 in 2001.
Between 1942 and 1944, during the Second World War, about 100,000 US troops were stationed in New Zealand. They exercised a notable influence on the country's way of life, and a small number settled in New Zealand. Immigration rates from the United States remained low until the 1960s, however. A "surge" of US immigrants was noted in the 1960s, 1970s, and again from the mid-1990s. Some of these came as New Zealand recruited foreign teachers to meet with local shortages.
Notable American New Zealanders and American residents in New Zealand have included:
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, and their descendants, if they choose to identify as such. American New Zealanders
New Zealanders
New Zealanders, colloquially known as Kiwis, are citizens of New Zealand. New Zealand is a multiethnic society, and home to people of many different national origins...
constitute a small minority of New Zealand's population. In the 2006 census in New Zealand, when asked to indicate their ethnic identity, 10,806 New Zealanders described themselves as "American", and 17,751 stated they were born in the United States. This marks a sizeable increase, in proportional terms, from the 8,451 US-born New Zealanders in 1991. In 2006, there were also 489 persons born in American Samoa
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
and living in New Zealand.
Americans began visiting New Zealand at the very end of the 18th century. These settled the nation as discharged British soldiers and sailors, as convicts (who were arrested at sea for maritime offenses, tried, and transported), and as whalers, sealers, or travelers. Many of these who were brought to New Zealand had a temporary stay and were returned and/or brought to New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
in neighboring Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. In 1839, there were about 50 Americans living in New Zealand, constituting about 4% of the non-Māori population of the country's North Island
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
. That number increased to 306 in 1858, 720 in 1861, and 1,213 in 1871, an increase due primarily to a gold rush
Gold rush
A gold rush is a period of feverish migration of workers to an area that has had a dramatic discovery of gold. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, and the United States, while smaller gold rushes took place elsewhere.In the 19th and early...
in Otago
Otago
Otago is a region of New Zealand in the south of the South Island. The region covers an area of approximately making it the country's second largest region. The population of Otago is...
. Subsequently, there were only 881 Americans living in New Zealand in 1901, but their numbers then increased to 1,713 in 1951, 8,383 in 1976, and 13,347 in 2001.
Between 1942 and 1944, during the Second World War, about 100,000 US troops were stationed in New Zealand. They exercised a notable influence on the country's way of life, and a small number settled in New Zealand. Immigration rates from the United States remained low until the 1960s, however. A "surge" of US immigrants was noted in the 1960s, 1970s, and again from the mid-1990s. Some of these came as New Zealand recruited foreign teachers to meet with local shortages.
Notable American New Zealanders and American residents in New Zealand have included:
- Caitlin Leonard
- Krystina Sloane
- Kimball BentKimball BentKimball Bent , also known as "Kimble Bent", was a soldier and adventurer.At some stage Kimball Bent made his way to Liverpool, England and on 18 October 1859 enlisted in the 57th Regiment of Foot in the British Army. He served in India and his unit was posted to New Zealand in 1861...
- Matthew CowleyMatthew CowleyMatthew Cowley was an American missionary and a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1945 until his death...
- Augie AuerAugie AuerAugust H. "Augie" Auer Jr was an atmospheric scientist and meteorologist in New Zealand.As a boy growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, Auer was reportedly fascinated by weather. After a freak winter storm caused havoc in his home town, he decided to become a meteorologist...
- Wyatt CreechWyatt CreechWyatt Beetham Creech, CNZM is a former New Zealand politician. He served as Deputy Prime Minister in Jenny Shipley's National Party government from August 1998 to December 1999.-Early life:...
- James R. FlynnJames R. FlynnJames Robert Flynn PhD FRSNZ , aka Jim Flynn, Emeritus Professor of Political Studies at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, researches intelligence and has become well known for his discovery of the Flynn effect, the continued year-after-year increase of IQ scores in all parts of the...
- Julian O'NeillJulian O'Neill (New Zealand)Julian O'Neill is a former professional rugby league footballer who spent most of his career playing in Super League...
- Mark PeckMark PeckMark Everett Peck is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. He was MP for Invercargill from 1993, when he first won the seat in the 1993 elections until 2005 when he announced he would not stand for re-election at the 2005 Parliamentary elections.-Early life:Peck was born in...
- Jessica Lee RoseJessica Lee RoseJessica Lee Rose is an American-New Zealand actress who first gained popularity after playing the role of lonelygirl15....
- Willie MasonWillie MasonWilliam Marshall "Willie" Mason is an Australian professional rugby union footballer for Toulon in the Top 14 competition, having previously being a rugby league footballer for Hull KR in the European Super League.Mason signed a 3-year contract with Hull KR in September 2010, pending a successful...