New Zealand has had a patchy history with the Holocaust. With a recent resurgence in antisemitism, it’s time we stepped up efforts to ensure it’s given no ground here. 

The dust is settling after a flurry of commemorative events and articles, locally and internationally, marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. In the days leading up to UN International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27), the hashtag #WeRemember circulated on social media, with encouragement to contemplate that horrific period of history.

UN Holocaust Remembrance Day falls at the height of New Zealand’s summer holiday season, when sun and surf are uppermost in many Kiwi minds. So it’s hardly surprising that Holocaust commemoration commands relatively little attention. Of greater concern, however, is that according to a poll undertaken in July 2019, New Zealand appears to suffer Holocaust amnesia. The multi-choice survey revealed that only 43 percent of respondents knew that approximately six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust, 20 percent thought fewer were killed, 37 percent were unsure, and worryingly, 30 percent were unsure whether the Holocaust had been exaggerated or was a myth.

Read more: Trotter, S (3 Feb 2020). NZ must step up against anti-Semitism. Newsroom. www.newsroom.co.nz.

In New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern paid tribute to the millions who died during the Holocaust and declared anti-Semitism had no place in the world.

Ardern delivered the message at the Mount Eden War Memorial in Auckland last night to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day .

Last night, Ms Ardern acknowledged the immeasurable loss of life and pain experienced by the Jewish community around the world.

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This year marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

On the 23rd of January (World Holocaust Memorial Day), the Fifth World Holocaust Forum is being held in Israel, hosted by the President of Israel and Yad Vashem.

Invites were sent to many world leaders, including New Zealand. And leaders from 46 countries are attending including US Vice President Mike Pence; French President Emmanuel Macron; Russian President Vladimir Putin; Charles, the Prince of Wales; and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeie.

The attendees include:

• Presidents – Albania, Armenia, Austria, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, EU x 3, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, US
• Prime Ministers: Czech, Denmark, Sweden
• Governor-General: Australia, Canada
• Speakers: Belarus, Latvia, US
• Monarchs: Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, UK
• Ambassadors: Holy See
• Ministers: Monaco

Now who is missing?

Which is the (almost) sole first world country that is absent?

New Zealand. Not only did we decide not to send the Governor-General, we’re sending no-one at all. Not even a Minister or an Ambassador.

Most of the 46 other countries are sending their heads of state or head of government. We’re not sending anyone.

The Holocaust was a crime against humanity. This Government goes on and on about human rights a lot, yet has decided not to attend the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the largest ever gathering of countries to fight anti-Semitism.

Why?

We send thousands of people to hundreds of different international conferences and gatherings. But no-one for this one.

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