BIOGRAPHY : KATHRYN LOWE

My name is Kathryn Lowe. I am married with two children, Gemma (17 years old) and Robert (13
years old). I hold a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) and Bachelor of Commerce
(major in Finance) from the University of Auckland. After commencing my professional career as a
software engineer, I worked for Price Waterhouse Coopers in taxation for 5 years. I then pursued a
career in Corporate Finance working for New Zealand’s largest telecommunication company.

I am part of a large extended Croatian family which has been of major significance throughout my
life. I am immensely proud of my Croatian heritage and the contribution that Croatian migrants and
my family have made to New Zealand.

My grandfather, Mate Druzijanic arrived in New Zealand in 1913. He left a tiny village in Rašćane
when Yugoslavia was part of Austria-Hungary monarchy and was a province of the Austrian empire.
My grandmother, Marica Barbaric, left the village of Zastražišće, Hvar in 1929. She was part of the
last major immigration wave from Yugoslavia before the Great Depression. Mate and Marica met in
New Zealand and married in 1931 and had five children, of which my mother, Norma is the
youngest. Having landed in New Zealand with no money, job or ability to speak English their story is
one of survival, hard work and success. Together they built a strong family unit which valued hard
work, honour, loyalty, hospitality, and compassion for others.

Initially my grandfather worked as a contractor and eventually purchased a farm in the Hawkes Bay.
My grandmother had a vegetable garden, grew grapes, and made her own wine. Family and working
the land was central to their life and culture. My grandfather would make yearly trips from the
Hawkes Bay, taking the family to catch up with relatives and fellow Croatians in different regions of
New Zealand to maintain close family connections and our Croatian heritage.

Mate and Marica were extremely loyal to their families in Croatia and for decades would send
clothing parcels and funds to assist them. They had strong family values, and today I am part of a
very close extended family.

I have a strong affinity with my Croatian heritage as my mother and I lived with Mate and Marica
from when I was 2 years old, when my parents separated. Mate and Marica also cared for me while
my mother went to work. My grandmother never mastered speaking English and as a child I grew
up in bilingual household. My earliest memories are of Marica sharing stories about her childhood in
Croatia and as a result of my upbringing have always identified as a Croatian New Zealander.

I was taught to cook by my grandmother and continue to make Krostule and Fritule doughnuts, skills
which I have passed on to my children. Hospitality was core to our family, and I continue to
welcome friends and family to my home and serve family recipes. My grandmother was skilled in
fancy work and her beautiful embroidery, lace and crochet work are treasured family heirlooms.

My grandfather valued education and paid for my school and University education, he was
extremely proud of his family’s achievements.

After my grandfather died Marica, Norma and I moved to Auckland. Marica was part of the Croatian
community in Auckland, and I would often accompany her to visit her Croatian friends and attend
community events.

While Mate and Marica did not return to Croatia, our family has remain closely connected with
family in Split, Makarska and Hvar and family members have visited over the years. Social media
enables us to stay connected with our cousins in a very real and immediate way.

My husband, Stephen has embraced the Croatian culture and is very supportive of my cultural
journey. We are members of the Croatian Cultural Society in Auckland. My husband and I visited
 BIOGRAPHY : KATHRYN LOWE
Croatia and stayed with family in Hvar and visited my grandmother’s place of birth in Zastražišće.
We plan to take our children next year to meet their extended family in Croatia. The family bonds
between my family in Croatia and the diaspora in New Zealand remain strong and I know that we
will be hosted in Croatia with great affection and generosity. These family bonds are integral to my
Croatian identity.

The Druzijanic extended family in New Zealand gather on a regular basis to celebrate family events
with food, and homemade wine stemming from our Croatian heritage. I am still of part of and very
close to my extended family in New Zealand who share my Croatian heritage.

My cousins and I consider it very important to apply for Croatian Citizenship as it cements our
Croatian ancestry and support the significance of my family’s Croatian heritage and identity. I would
like the opportunity for my children to enjoy their Croatian heritage and look forward to spending
more time with family in Croatia in the future with our children.

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