Auckland Holocaust survivor opens up about hiding from the Nazis on a Polish farm

For the first time, an Auckland Jewish woman has spoken out about her experiences hiding from persecution on a Polish farm during World War II.

It comes as the world reflects on International Holocaust Remembrance Day - and the 74th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau camp.

Freda Narev's memories of life on a remote Polish farm are vague.

“I was comfortable, well looked after and I had to be careful not to tell anyone where I came from,” she told 1 NEWS.

For three years from the age of six, the Polish girl was hidden on a farm by a stranger.

Her father was caught and shot by the Nazis, leaving her mother to make the hard decision to hand her over to a Catholic family in the hope she'd survive.

“It must have been terrible for her because she took a risk,” Mrs Narev said.

The 83-year-old never saw her mum or sister again and has no idea what happened to them.

“After the war the Red Cross made all sorts of enquiries,” she said.

Mrs Narev’s husband and fellow survivor, Bob, said: “There's no record anywhere. We've tried in a number of areas, including the Holocaust Museum." 

Eventually, Freda made her way to New Zealand and met fellow survivor Bob.

The pair celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last week.

On the other side of the world, Albina Karlowicz and her son never told anyone - including their own children - the massive risk they'd taken hiding a tiny Jewish girl during World War II. But now their descendants will be given the 'Righteous Among Nations' award for their actions.

“We were delighted,” Mrs Narev said.

“The amazing thing is that the family knew nothing about this at all, until this came about they were surprised, delighted and very proud about what the lady had done,” Mr Narev said.

The award will be handed out to Albina's grandchildren later this year and while the Narevs can't be there to see it, they hope that at least some of their descendants can make it.

Bob Narev also survived horrors of his own, including years in a concentration camp. And as services like today's Auckland remembrance continue, the pair say they are worried about the direction some of the world is heading in.

“The discrimination and persecution of other groups because of their race or religion, which is exactly what happened to us, and therefore we're not frightened in New Zealand because we feel safe, but we are concerned about the future,” Mr Narev said.

They are hoping telling their story will help ensure the lessons of the past aren't forgotten.