Greek New Zealanders

rdf:langString Greek New Zealanders

rdf:langString Greek New Zealanders

rdf:langString Greek New Zealanders

rdf:langString Ελληνοζηλανδοί

rdf:langString Greek Australians and other Greek diaspora groups

rdf:langString Predominantly Greek Orthodox,

rdf:langString Greek ethnic group

rdf:langString Greek New Zealanders (Greek: Ελληνοζηλανδοί) (Ellinozilandoí) refers to New Zealand citizens and residents who are of full or partial Greek descent; either those who immigrated or are New Zealand-born. Large concentrations of the community are to be found in Wellington, and to a lesser extent Christchurch and Auckland. Smaller communities of Greeks reside in Palmerston North, Wanganui, Dunedin, Hamilton, Nelson and Napier. Many Greek New Zealanders maintain their Greek identity through the observation of Greek customs and traditions, and their adherence to their Greek Orthodox (Christian) faith, whilst also assimilating into New Zealand society. The number of people reporting their ethnicity as Greek in New Zealand was 2,478 in the March 2013 census. An estimated 10,000 New Zealanders have Greek Ancestry. In the modern era, many Greeks came by way of Australia to New Zealand, coming in waves during the 1950s and 60s. The vast majority of these migrants came to Wellington, which still noticeably oozes with Hellenic heritage and deep roots. Suburbs that became Greek strongholds include Mount Victoria, the streets of which are lined with Greek-planted olive trees (that have produced award-winning olive oil), Strathmore Park, Miramar, Island Bay, Moera, Plimmerton, and Berhampore, the latter of which is where the local Greek football team, Wellington Olympic AFC, is based. Wellington Olympic is one of many local clubs formed by European immigrants during the 20th century, which helped solidify football as a passion of the people in Wellington. Many Greeks found work running fish and chip shops; some of these shops are still run by Greeks (such as ones in Strathmore Park and Plimmerton), but today Chinese New Zealanders run the majority of these takeaway outlets. Concerning Greek food, Souvlakia is not hard to find at all in Wellington.