Lebanese New Zealanders

The community is diverse, having a large Christian religious base, being mostly Maronite Catholics and Greek Orthodox, while also having a small Muslim group of both the Shia and Sunni branches of Islam.

[1] As part of a large scale emigration in the 1840s, numerous Lebanese (mostly Christians) migrated in great numbers out of Lebanon to various destinations.

Most emigrated to Brazil and other Latin American nations, particularly Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador.

Their language ability and entrepreneurial skills, along with a sense of belonging, gave them the confidence to integrate without losing their tradition and culture connection.

[3] Early Lebanese settler Assid Abraham Corban and his family were instrumental in introducing commercial winemaking to New Zealand.