New Zealand Netherlands Foundation

From Abel Tasman to Fonterra, from Petrus van der Velden to Ans Westra, from Olympians Dick Quax to Simon van Velthoven, from early refugees and migrants escaping a war-torn Holland to those who recently began to make their life in the New Zealand we enjoy today – we all have a common heritage and a lot to be proud of. According to research undertaken by the Netherlands Government and the New Zeal

and Netherlands Foundation (the Foundation), there are estimated to be between 130,000 to 200,000 people with a Dutch heritage in New Zealand; Of these between 40,000 – 50,000 are classed as first generation Dutch by the Department of Statistics. However, the Dutch in New Zealand are "invisible" and the research indicates that there are those with a Dutch background who have lost their heritage and their connection to the Netherlands but who would like to reconnect. To achieve this the Foundation is taking steps to create a virtual community where people who wish to explore and connect with their Dutch heritage can register with us and in doing so create a network for promoting activities with a Dutch flavour throughout New Zealand.