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Auckland march backs Jewish community after Sydney terror attack

Author
Samuel Sherry,
Publish Date
Thu, 18 Dec 2025, 4:28pm

Auckland march backs Jewish community after Sydney terror attack

Author
Samuel Sherry,
Publish Date
Thu, 18 Dec 2025, 4:28pm

A march to support the Jewish community and oppose antisemitism will take place on Sunday from 3pm in central Auckland.

The Auckland March Against Jew Hatred, starting in Aotea Square, has been organised in response to the terrorist attack in Sydney on Sunday, which led to the deaths of 16 people, including a 10-year-old girl.

Father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration near Bondi Beach just before 7pm on Sunday.

鈥淗anukkah is the celebration of light over darkness, and that鈥檚 the kaupapa of our event,鈥 organiser Lucy Rogers said.

鈥淣ew Zealand is now a country which posts armed police outside Jewish schools and synagogues to keep them safe.

鈥淭his cannot become the new normal. We must draw a line in the sand.鈥

Flowers have been laid at a memorial for the victims of Sunday's terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.
Flowers have been laid at a memorial for the victims of Sunday's terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.

Rogers confirmed that the march was co-hosted by the New Zealand Jewish Council and NZ Against Hamas, with both organisations officially endorsing it.

Rogers, the founder of NZ Against Hamas, will be speaking at the rally alongside Juliet Moses, president of the New Zealand Jewish Council, David Cumin and representatives from tangata whenua, including Matua Hakiaha, Sheree Trotter and Tawhiri Littlejohn.

Representatives from the Muslim community might also be present. Rogers predicted the numbers attending could be 鈥渁nywhere between a few hundred and a few thousand鈥.

鈥淭his march is an opportunity to show our Jewish wh膩nau they are not alone.鈥

A menorah will be lit during the event and, after speeches and a vigil, the rally will move down Queen St.

Rogers was keen to avoid hatred at the event, urging people not to carry signs containing profanity or expressing hatred toward any group, including Muslims.

The rally will begin in Aotea Square before moving down Queen St. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
The rally will begin in Aotea Square before moving down Queen St. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

鈥淏y attending, you are also undertaking to comply with lawful police instructions,鈥 she said.

Police told the Herald they were aware of a planned march in central Auckland on Sunday.

鈥淲e are in ongoing contact with the organisers ahead of this event, and planning our response accordingly.鈥

Glynn Leggat, head of community events at Auckland Council, said the council was told about the event, but was not involved in its co-ordination.

鈥淲e also note that Auckland Council does not issue event permits for protests, as it is guaranteed under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, which gives the right to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly.鈥

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