Ambassador Braves Elements To Unveil Plaque Honoring Early Hungarian Settlers

Malcolm Gayfer

Nov 24, 2020 - 1 min read

The arrival of new settlers to western Southland from the other side of the world was marked on Saturday.

The ambassador for Hungary, his Excellency Mr László Zsolt Szabó travelled from Wellington to unveil the plaque in less than sparkling weather.

Plaque honouring the first settlers from Hungary. Pic Judith Varga

The plaque attached to a seat is located near the Waiau Memorial Library and honours the Ráczék, Kollaték, Szívákék, and Kokaiék (Kokays)families who travelled from the central European country in the early 1900’s.

Bench seat and plaque near Tuatapere. Pic Judith Varga.

The first families arrived in 1906 and the last in 1931.

The pioneering settlers from Hungary quickly got to work in the timber and farming industry’s of the time.

Waiau Community Board chair Margaret Thomas, a direct descendant of the Kokay’s was instrumental in organizing the event.