Through the Ethnic Communities Development Fund, the Ministry for Ethnic Communities supported International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2026 commemorations across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Fund supports initiatives that promote the value of diversity, improve inclusion, and connect and uplift Ethnic Communities. Supporting Holocaust remembrance aligns with these priorities by encouraging cross-community understanding, countering discrimination, and strengthening social cohesion.
This investment supported national and regional commemorations that created opportunities for reflection, education and community connection.
A national moment of reflection
Led by the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, commemorations were held at Parliament and in Auckland, Hamilton, Blenheim and Christchurch under the 2026 theme “Bridging the Generations – The Holocaust and Its Legacy”.
The event at Parliament brought together survivors and descendants, Members of Parliament, the diplomatic corps, faith and community leaders, students and wider sector representatives. The programme included prayers, keynote remarks, survivor testimony, candle lighting, and music.
The Fund also supported the Holocaust Centre to produce the film “They were just children”. The trailer was screened publicly for the first time during the commemorative events.
At the Wellington event, the Holocaust Centre also announced the 2025 Paul Seideman Scholarship recipients, recognising young people whose creative work reflects thoughtful engagement with Holocaust history and its contemporary relevance.
Ministry staff attended events across the country, including Chief Executive Mervin Singham at the Wellington commemoration, demonstrating the Ministry’s commitment to supporting ethnic and faith-based communities and strengthening inclusion nationwide.
Investing in education and future generations
The film “They were just children”, supported by the Fund, shares the stories of Holocaust survivors who came to New Zealand alongside youth voices, using interviews, animation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to preserve testimony for future generations.
The film will support schools as Holocaust education becomes mandatory within the draft Years 0–10 Social Sciences curriculum. By helping students understand how prejudice can escalate into discrimination and violence, the resource supports informed citizenship and contributes to long-term social cohesion.
Strengthening inclusion through action
The Ministry’s Fund continues to support initiatives that promote diversity, strengthen inclusion, and connect communities. Supporting Holocaust remembrance demonstrates how targeted funding can empower community leadership and contribute to a more cohesive and inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand.
Photos credit: Simon Woolf
-
A Shared Commitment to Remembrance: Representatives from diverse communities and government officials gather at Parliament’s Banquet Hall for the 2026 National Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony.
-
A Living Legacy of Remembrance: Descendants Tom Rockman Arielly (3rd), Sally Thomson‑Gregg and Dani Arielly (4th) light a memorial candle honouring Holocaust and Second World War victims, observed by survivor Steven Sedley and his grandson George.
-
Empowering Future Voices: Holocaust survivor Irene Adler reads Primo Levi, joined by Lisa Silestean (2nd) reading a Moshe Rockman’s speech, and Talya Hadari Cohen (3rd) sharing a collaborative poem by 3rd‑generation descendants.
-
A Living Dialogue Across Generations: Holocaust survivor Irene Adler reads Primo Levi, joined by Lisa Silestean (2nd) reading a Moshe Rockman’s speech, and Talya Hadari Cohen (3rd) sharing a collaborative poem by 3rd‑generation descendants.
-
Celebrating Life and Continuity: Sehai Orgad and her daughter Nina Sanders perform a moving rendition of the song Chai, symbolising "Life”.
-
A Passing of the Flame: Holocaust survivor Steven Sedley receives a taper candle from 2nd‑generation descendant Deborah Hart, joined by (R-L) Jenny Livschitz, Mandy Zukerman, Gatsby Cohen, Wellington Mayor Andrew Little, and George and Ben Sedley.
