HCNZ HISTORY
The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand was established in 2007 to remember and honour those killed in the Holocaust - in particular, the families of survivors in New Zealand.
Founded by a small group of Holocaust survivors, children of survivors and refugees, their purpose was inspired by Hanka and George Pressburg, the pioneers of Holocaust education in New Zealand.
That inspiration was made a reality by a dedicated committee, coordinated by Steven Sedley MNZM, a Wellington-based Holocaust Survivor from the Budapest Ghetto.
Founded by a small group of Holocaust survivors, children of survivors and refugees, their purpose was inspired by Hanka and George Pressburg, the pioneers of Holocaust education in New Zealand.
That inspiration was made a reality by a dedicated committee, coordinated by Steven Sedley MNZM, a Wellington-based Holocaust Survivor from the Budapest Ghetto.
Hanka and George originally created a small display of Holocaust artefacts, and talked to groups of students and visitors about Hanka's personal experiences surviving Theresienstadt, Auschwitz and forced labour in Hamburg.
The Centre was officially opened by the Governor General of New Zealand (Hon. Sir Anand Satyanand) on 15 April, 2007.
In his speech, the Governor-General noted: “The Centre will enhance the New Zealand understanding of the Holocaust”.
Indeed, the focus of the Centre has always been the Holocaust and the connection to New Zealand, especially the Survivors who have contributed richly to New Zealand’s cultural and business landscape.
The Centre’s displays and educational material recount the experiences of Holocaust survivors who found refuge in New Zealand and include:
The Centre was officially opened by the Governor General of New Zealand (Hon. Sir Anand Satyanand) on 15 April, 2007.
In his speech, the Governor-General noted: “The Centre will enhance the New Zealand understanding of the Holocaust”.
Indeed, the focus of the Centre has always been the Holocaust and the connection to New Zealand, especially the Survivors who have contributed richly to New Zealand’s cultural and business landscape.
The Centre’s displays and educational material recount the experiences of Holocaust survivors who found refuge in New Zealand and include:
- The story and a portion of a collection of buttons (an educational project of Moriah College - Wellington Jewish Day School), illustrating the enormity of the murder of 1.5 million children, most of whom were Jewish. (see Children's Holocaust Memorial)
- A map of Europe's Jewish population pre and post WWII, showing the impact of the Holocaust on the population.
- Panels devoted to the Deckston Orphanage highlighting New Zealand as a safe refuge; the Polish children who came in the 1930s survived, while almost all the families they left behind were murdered.
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, prominently displayed, as the response of a stunned world to the unprecedented slaughter of millions because of their race or beliefs.
From the beginning, Holocaust education has been the Centre’s central focus. Every year, hundreds of students visit from around the country - many study an aspect of the Holocaust within the context of the New Zealand school curriculum, while teachers are provided with the tools to teach this vast and often challenging subject.
In 2012, the name ‘Holocaust Centre of New Zealand’ was formally adopted, to reflect the Centre’s national reach as the only institution within the country devoted to Holocaust education, and the Centre moved to larger premises (its current space), opening on Yom HaShoah, 19th April 2012 by the Chief Human Rights Commissioner David Rutherford, enabling more expansive displays and the ability to accommodate 30 plus students.
In the press release of Thursday, 5 April 2012, Inge Woolf, the Director of the Centre, explained, “Most cities in the world have a place of remembrance for those who died in the camps. The Jewish community in Wellington has been active in the capital for over one hundred years and so we as a Jewish community are delighted to give something back to the city that has looked after us. We believe a purpose-built facility designed to international standards of excellence will continue to add credence to Wellington being a centre of multicultural significance. We will be joining other international cities such as Los Angles, New York , London , and Berlin in remembering the Holocaust. Already numerous school groups have learnt and understood the significance of the Holocaust by visiting the existing centre. Now with national recognition I am sure this will appeal to a wider cross section of the community.”
“The Holocaust Center is an asset for all New Zealanders to reflect on the importance of harmony, diversity, resilience and survival,” said Mayor Celia Wade-Brown. “The centre’s contribution to understanding and overcoming racial prejudice, hatred and oppression is important.”
“So we who survived have a duty to those that did not to make sure that in this wonderful country of ours, every single person is taught what can happen in even the most civilized society, when governments not only do not protect all their citizens regardless of color or creed but allow discrimination and intolerance to flourish.” [Inge Woolf]
To enable New Zealand educators to gain a deeper understanding of the Holocaust and to enhance their skills in teaching the subject, the Centre established a program in 2013, in conjunction with Yad Vashem, the renowned Holocaust museum and research centre based in Jerusalem. Every two years, the Centre sends approximately 25 New Zealand teachers to Yad Vashem, to attend an intensive course in Holocaust studies.
In 2012, the name ‘Holocaust Centre of New Zealand’ was formally adopted, to reflect the Centre’s national reach as the only institution within the country devoted to Holocaust education, and the Centre moved to larger premises (its current space), opening on Yom HaShoah, 19th April 2012 by the Chief Human Rights Commissioner David Rutherford, enabling more expansive displays and the ability to accommodate 30 plus students.
In the press release of Thursday, 5 April 2012, Inge Woolf, the Director of the Centre, explained, “Most cities in the world have a place of remembrance for those who died in the camps. The Jewish community in Wellington has been active in the capital for over one hundred years and so we as a Jewish community are delighted to give something back to the city that has looked after us. We believe a purpose-built facility designed to international standards of excellence will continue to add credence to Wellington being a centre of multicultural significance. We will be joining other international cities such as Los Angles, New York , London , and Berlin in remembering the Holocaust. Already numerous school groups have learnt and understood the significance of the Holocaust by visiting the existing centre. Now with national recognition I am sure this will appeal to a wider cross section of the community.”
“The Holocaust Center is an asset for all New Zealanders to reflect on the importance of harmony, diversity, resilience and survival,” said Mayor Celia Wade-Brown. “The centre’s contribution to understanding and overcoming racial prejudice, hatred and oppression is important.”
“So we who survived have a duty to those that did not to make sure that in this wonderful country of ours, every single person is taught what can happen in even the most civilized society, when governments not only do not protect all their citizens regardless of color or creed but allow discrimination and intolerance to flourish.” [Inge Woolf]
To enable New Zealand educators to gain a deeper understanding of the Holocaust and to enhance their skills in teaching the subject, the Centre established a program in 2013, in conjunction with Yad Vashem, the renowned Holocaust museum and research centre based in Jerusalem. Every two years, the Centre sends approximately 25 New Zealand teachers to Yad Vashem, to attend an intensive course in Holocaust studies.
Commemoration is also an important role for the Centre;
What started from small beginnings is now an occasion that attracts eminent politicians, diplomats, church and civic dignitaries and large numbers of the general public, with support from the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, local councils, Jewish organisations and congregations, and the New Zealand Human Rights Commission.
With constantly expanding activities, over time, full time and part time staff were appointed.
Over the years, the Holocaust Centre has become an integral feature of the nation’s capital and wider New Zealand museum, tourist and cultural landscape. Its activities and public profile is ever increasing.
In the next phase of the Centre’s growth, investment in digital and social media education and engagement will be a focus.
What started as a project by a small number of volunteers, Holocaust survivors and their children, more than a decade ago, has evolved into a successful, vibrant organisation.
- United Nations International Holocaust Remembrance Day events are held on January 27th in Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland, with recent additions of also Hamilton, Nelson and Dunedin.
- Concerts are held annually in remembrance of Kristallnacht, Nov 9 - 10, 1938.
- Yom HaShoah is observed on the 27th day in the month of Nisan.
What started from small beginnings is now an occasion that attracts eminent politicians, diplomats, church and civic dignitaries and large numbers of the general public, with support from the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, local councils, Jewish organisations and congregations, and the New Zealand Human Rights Commission.
With constantly expanding activities, over time, full time and part time staff were appointed.
Over the years, the Holocaust Centre has become an integral feature of the nation’s capital and wider New Zealand museum, tourist and cultural landscape. Its activities and public profile is ever increasing.
In the next phase of the Centre’s growth, investment in digital and social media education and engagement will be a focus.
What started as a project by a small number of volunteers, Holocaust survivors and their children, more than a decade ago, has evolved into a successful, vibrant organisation.
Images from 15 April 2007
IMAGES FROM 2012 below