Events
Events & Public Programmes
The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand hosts regular events and public programmes to foster community connection, education, and remembrance.
Commemorations
Upcoming
27 January 2027
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Details: National and regional commemorative events will mark the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Save the date.
Past highlights and legacy
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13 April 2026
Our community gathered across Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch alongside dignitaries, survivors, and descendants to tend the "Flame of Memory."
Yom HaShoah is the designated day of Remembrance of the Holocaust and Heroism, coinciding with the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising.
Moving addresses were delivered by descendants at all events.
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27 January 2026
Centered on the theme “Bridging the Generations,” the Centre hosted nationwide commemorative ceremonies in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Blenheim, and Christchurch. Notable speakers included Her Excellency the Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro (Governor General of New Zealand), Hon Mark Mitchell, Hon Chris Bishop, Chief Human Rights Commissioner Stephen Rainbow, and Race Relations Commissioner Dr Melissa Derby.
The events featured the trailer premiere for our new educational film, We Were Just Children, funded by the Ministry for Ethnic Communities.
Music
Upcoming
November 2026
Kristallnacht Commemorative Concert
Details: Exact dates, times, and locations across Wellington and Auckland to be announced soon.
Past Highlights & Legacy
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(9-10 November 2025)
Held over two evenings in Wellington and Auckland, this concert series marked the 87th anniversary of Kristallnacht and honoured the victims of the Farhud pogrom of 1941. Performed by the Te Kōkī Trio (Inbal Megiddo, Martin Riseley, and Jian Liu), Professor Kim Cunio, and Heather Lee, the programme celebrated the resilience of persecuted Jewish musicians, including opera singer Erna Weiss Falk, composer Brigitte Schiffer, the Al Kuwaiti brothers, and violinist Ferdinand Adler.
Talks and presentations
Upcoming
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Hitler and the Arab Connection
In this upcoming session of the L’dor V’dor series, David Zwartz presents Hitler and the Arab Connection, an insightful examination of the historical ties and mutual relationships between the Nazi Party and leadership within the Arab and Muslim communities during World War II. The talk will explore the broader geopolitical dynamics of the era, focusing specifically on ideological alignments, shared interests, and strategic interactions.
David Zwartz ONZM
David Zwartz ONZM is a long-standing leader, advocate, and historian within the New Zealand Jewish community. Former President of the New Zealand Jewish Council and Chair of the Wellington Regional Jewish Council, David has dedicated decades to interfaith dialogue, Holocaust education, and community advocacy. A longtime volunteer and contributor to the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, he brings a wealth of knowledge and deep research to his presentations on 20th-century history and Jewish affairs.
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The Dirty War of Argentina: Refugees from Nazi Europe Face Renewed Persecution
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Reactions to Kristallnacht Worldwide
L’Dor V’Dor Speaker Series 2026
Join us on the last Wednesday of the month (March - November) in person or online for our lecture series exploring a diverse range of topics, including Holocaust history, memory and human rights.
Tickets are $11.50 per session ($8.05 for Members) inc GST.
Booking fees are additional.
Past Highlights & Legacy
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April 2026
A presentation by retired U.S. diplomat, historian, and author David K. Wessel. Drawing on his family’s personal history and his novel Choosing Sides, Wessel explored how ordinary German citizens responded as the Nazi Party systematically stripped away their civil liberties, trust, and choices.
Watch Past Sessions: Missed a previous L’Dor V’Dor speaker event? Full recordings of our past educational presentations are available to watch.
Films
Upcoming
We Were Just Children
We are honoured to invite our Holocaust Centre of New Zealand community to a series of special regional screenings of our new educational film, We Were Just Children.
Supported by the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, this powerful film project connects the lived experiences of New Zealand Holocaust survivors directly to the world today. Through deeply personal testimonies, the film explores the courage, heartbreak, and resilience of child survivors who later went on to rebuild their lives and homes in New Zealand.
Come along for an evening of film, reflection, a live Q&A panel, and community connection. Each ticket purchased includes a drink and full details, including screening start times, can be found via the links below.
Dates & Locations
Wellington: Wednesday 12 August
Christchurch: Wednesday 19 August
Note: Spaces are strictly limited at each venue. We recommend booking early to avoid missing out!
Watch the trailer below.