Maria Dronke

Minnie Maria Dronke OBE (née Kronfeld, 17 July 1904 – 28 August 1987) was a New Zealand actor, drama producer and teacher.

Her Jewish background placed her in great danger in Nazi Germany and in December 1938, she went to live at a Catholic convent at Fenham, England.

She was eventually reunited with her husband, judge Adolf John Rudolf Dronke, and children there, and the Archbishop of Wellington, Thomas O'Shea, arranged for them to come to New Zealand, where they arrived in August 1939.

She is also related to Josh Kronfeld, a member of the All Blacks squad in the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

In the 1980 New Year Honours, Dronke was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the performing arts.