Batistich was born in
Dargaville to John Barbarich and Milka Matutinovich, settlers from
Dalmatia. Her parents ran a boarding house which attracted new migrants, including labourers heading for Northland's gumfields for work. She was educated by the
Sisters of St Joseph and the
Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. The family moved to
Auckland when Batistich was 11. She has been credited with leading the way for other ethnic groups, such as
Māori, to also express their outlook on the community they were living in. == Publications ==