This year marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

On the 23rd of January (World Holocaust Memorial Day), the Fifth World Holocaust Forum is being held in Israel, hosted by the President of Israel and Yad Vashem.

Invites were sent to many world leaders, including New Zealand. And leaders from 46 countries are attending. But not New Zealand…

Read David Farrar’s full blog on this issue here (on Kiwiblog) and read the NZ Herald’s story on the issue here.

Further to this story:

  • The Governor-General of New Zealand, Dame Patsy Reddy, has sent a message to Israel’s Ambassador to New Zealand ahead of the 5th World Holocaust Forum. The Governor-General’s message can be read here.
  • New Zealand is sending a representative – New Zealand’s Ambassador to Poland, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Georgia Mary Thurston – to the 75th anniversary commemoration at Auschwitz.
  • Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will be attending the United Nations International Holocaust Remembrance Day event in Auckland this year.