Iranian New Zealander
Encyclopedia
Iranian New Zealanders informally known as Persian Kiwis, are New Zealander
s of Iran
ian national background or descent who are expatriates or permanent immigrants, and their descendants. The 2006 census found that 2,895 New Zealanders
were born in Iran, although the figure of Iranian New Zealanders will be higher than this as many of them are born in another country, while many New Zealand-born children of Iranians may consider themselves to be Iranian New Zealanders.
in 1979. The community expanded in the early 1980s and 1990s during the Iran–Iraq War and its aftermath. New Zealand was the primary destination for Iranian emigrants to Australasia
in the 1990s.
. Around half of Iranians in New Zealand are Muslim, but those of Christian background are also present. Among Iranian migrants there are also Bahá'ís who had been persecuted for their religion in Iran. From 1987 to 1989, 142 Bahá'ís arrived in New Zealand as refugees.
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...
s of Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian national background or descent who are expatriates or permanent immigrants, and their descendants. The 2006 census found that 2,895 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...
were born in Iran, although the figure of Iranian New Zealanders will be higher than this as many of them are born in another country, while many New Zealand-born children of Iranians may consider themselves to be Iranian New Zealanders.
Migration history
Most Iranian New Zealanders came to New Zealand after the Iranian RevolutionIranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
in 1979. The community expanded in the early 1980s and 1990s during the Iran–Iraq War and its aftermath. New Zealand was the primary destination for Iranian emigrants to Australasia
Australasia
Australasia is a region of Oceania comprising Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes...
in the 1990s.
Demography
The majority of Iranian New Zealanders are of Persian background, but there are also Azeris and KurdsIranian Kurdistan
Iranian Kurdistan is an unofficial name for the parts of Iran inhabited by Kurds and has borders with Iraq and Turkey. It includes Kurdistan Province, Kermanshah Province, Ilam Province and parts of West Azerbaijan province....
. Around half of Iranians in New Zealand are Muslim, but those of Christian background are also present. Among Iranian migrants there are also Bahá'ís who had been persecuted for their religion in Iran. From 1987 to 1989, 142 Bahá'ís arrived in New Zealand as refugees.
Notable people
- Rasoul AmaniRasoul AmaniRasoul Amani is a New Zealand wrestler who represented New Zealand in graeco-roman wrestling in the 63 kg class at the 2000 Summer Olympics; see Wrestling at the 2000 Summer Olympics.He was born in Tehran, Iran....
, New Zealand wrestler who represented New Zealand in graeco-roman wrestling at the 2000 Summer Olympics2000 Summer OlympicsThe Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
See also
| Year | Persons |
|---|---|
| 1881 | 2 |
| 1951 | 20 |
| 2001 | 1,980 |
| 2006 | 2,895 |
- Iranian AustralianIranian AustralianIranian Australians are people of Iranian origin residing in Australia. They include expatriates in exile as well as permanent immigrants and their descendants.-History:...