Generations After
Generations after: the living memory
The impact of the Holocaust does not end with the survivors; it continues through their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
The Generations After network provides a supportive space for the children (second generation) and grandchildren (third generation) of Holocaust survivors and refugees to connect, share experiences, and preserve their families' legacies.
Connect nationally
Descendants of Holocaust survivors meet to discuss their family histories and the unique experience of "intergenerational memory." These discussions explore how the trauma and resilience of the Holocaust have shaped the identities of subsequent generations of New Zealanders.
Auckland’s second-generation group
Established in 1994 with a network of over 100 members nationwide. Meeting every 6 weeks in person or via Zoom, the group is open to anyone whose parents were impacted by the Holocaust or fled Europe as a refugee between 1933–1948.
Co-leader: Naomi Johnson
Email Auckland group: akldsecondgen@orcon.net.nz
Wellington’s second-generation group
Formed in 2018, this fast-growing group of over 70 members meets bi-monthly. It provides a welcoming forum to discuss the unique upbringing of being raised by survivor or refugee parents
Coordinator: Irene Buxton
Email Wellington Group: info@holocaustcentre.org.nz
Irene Buxon (left) and Naomi Johnson.
Read Written Memoirs
Featured Anthology: Mixed Blessings: New Zealand Children of Holocaust Survivors Remember
Edited by Debbie Knowles, 2003. Published by Tandem Press.
A foundational piece of our local second-generation history, this moving anthology brings together nineteen chapters from descendants across Auckland and Wellington. By pairing personal histories with cherished family recipes, the book beautifully illustrates how culture, memory, and resilience are passed down through families. Mixed Blessings stands as a powerful, collective act of bearing witness—honouring the legacy of those we lost, while celebrating the strength of the survivors who built new lives in Aotearoa.
Find a copy online:
Personal digital testimonies:
Read Deborah Knowles’ personal account of what second-generation identity means, as included in Mixed Blessings.
Read personal stories from the Auckland Second Generation Group.
Exploring our impact and research
The descendant community continues to shape New Zealand’s cultural landscape through literature, academic research, art, and public addresses.