The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand will be officially opened by the Chief Human Rights Commissioner David Rutherford, with a special ceremony later this month when numerous national and local dignitaries will attend the special opening coinciding with the Jewish Holocaust Day of Remembrance known as Yom Hashoah. Invitations have been accepted by ambassadors from Israel, France, Poland, Germany, and others along with the Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, the Hon Chris Finlayson, Attorney General and the Minister of Arts Culture and Heritage, and Grant Robertson MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

The centre is located in the Wellington Jewish Community Centre, Webb Street , and is about to gain national status. It is dedicated to George and Hanka Pressburg who set up the first small display in 1990. Their desire was to preserve the memory of the nearly 6 million Jewish men, woman, and children who died whilst interred in the Nazi death camps, and to educate future generations so that they are aware where racist policies can lead.

Inge Woolf, the Director of the centre, explains, “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 Centre focuses on the impact of the Holocaust on New Zealand and New Zealand society, not just through the contribution of refugees, but also in the understanding gained about threats to modern civilization. Although New Zealand was sheltered from the atrocities that occurred in the camps, Inge is sure many New Zealanders and foreign immigrants to the country since the end of the WWII may have something to share: “I am sure over the years various Holocaust items have been locked away gathering dust, things that we would like to bring to people’s attention in the new national Holocaust Centre. The important thing is to ensure that the world never forgets the tragedy that occurred so long ago!”

“As part of the opening ceremony, two suitcases belonging to two Jewish children who escaped the horror of the camps will be unveiled that night. The story they tell is of survival and personal sacrifice when some Jewish families seized the chance of sending their children to England prior to 1939, known as the Kindertransport. These suitcases along with a list of contents and the children eventually arrived in Masterton in 1946 with the knowledge that the parents who sent them had perished,” said Inge.

“The centre is calling for opening gifts of any other items of significance to the New Zealand history of the Holocaust whether they are stories, photographs, documents, or any other items. Please contact Susi Williams on 801 9480 or email the centre on info@holocaustcentre.org.nz so they may be properly recorded.

The centre will open to the public on Monday, 23 April 2012. Hours are from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm Monday to Friday at 80 Webb Street , Wellington . Further information on the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand can be obtained via the centre’s website www.holocaustcentre.org.nz..

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