New Zealand internet auction site Trade Me has removed from sale a bust of Adolf Hitler.
This is in spite of a declaration on the site that the item, on sale for NZ$275, had been approved by Trade Me for sale.
The matter was brought to the attention of Stephen Goodman, President of the New Zealand Jewish council who told J-Wire: “ While it is not illegal to buy and sell Nazi memorabilia in New Zealand, the Jewish Council is disappointed to see individuals profiting from it.
In addition to those murdered by the Nazis many New Zealanders fought and died to defeat the regime. As such this type of activity is offensive to us all.
Having this item on sale only serves to validate it and we ask that Trade Me withdraw the listing.”
The listing did not stay up for very long, and there was little interest in the item. The bust was listed for only a few hours before it was removed by a Trade Me ‘administrator’.
Jeff Hunkin, Communications and Community Liaison for Trade Me confirmed the link had been removed later today as the item fell under the ‘Nazi Memorabilia’ section of Trade Me.
The Nazi bust was classified as a “banned” item according to the ‘banned and restricted items’ link on the Trade Me website.