About Us

Our Story

The origin of the Wellington Croatian club dates back to 1938. At that time Croatia was part of the then Kingdom of Yugoslavia consisting of Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. During a turbulent time in the region a growing number of Croatians, mainly from Dalmatia, immigrated to New Zealand predominantly for economic reasons. Over time a number of families who had originally had one or more family members working in the gum fields in the far North, and or scrub cutting throughout the north island, resettled in Wellington. Many brought wives and family members from Croatia to join them and as a growing community they recognised a need for a social club.

This led to a small group banding together to hire premises on the corner of Vivian and Cuba Street to form the Yugo-Slav Club. The Club operated from these premises for 24 years until members, many of whom were by now successful business owners, decided the Club should purchase a building of its own. Over the years, money raised from events held at the Club had been invested in the purchase of some real estate, to get the capital required for the purchase of new clubrooms this property was sold and a mortgage was raised against one family member’s life insurance policy.  Ten other members donated money to be used for any potential renovations.  This enabled the purchase of the current club premises in 1962 at 8 Nelson Street, later to become 32 Hania Street.