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Tēnā koutou katoa
Summer is upon us and I know many of you will be looking forward to catching up with friends and loved ones over the festive season. In this issue there is an article about Te Arawhata – New Zealand Liberation Museum in the French town of Le Quesnoy. It was 105 years ago that soldiers of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade liberated Le Quesnoy after four years of German occupation. It reminded me again of just how many families back here in New Zealand would have waited for word of their loved ones far from home, as another Christmas Day approached. This Christmas we will remember all those who did not return from all conflicts and we’ll be thinking of those members of our NZDF whānau who continue to serve here in New Zealand and around the globe.
As the year draws to a close, we will be saying farewell to three members of our Veterans’ Affairs family as they head in to retirement, each pulling down the curtain on very illustrious careers and not just with Veterans’ Affairs.
Marti Eller, the outgoing Deputy Head of Veterans’ Affairs, has been a public servant for over thirty years, working in the Social Service, Justice and Education sectors during her career as a senior manager, as well as holding policy roles in Treasury, the Ministry of Economic Development and the New Zealand Productivity Commission. We were pleased to have Marti join us back in November 2015.
Paula Carr leaves her role as the Team Leader Decisions, having come to Veterans’ Affairs for the first time in 1999, leaving clinical practice as a registered nurse after 20 years. Paula’s first role with Veterans’ Affairs was as the National Review Officer. She left us for ACC’s Medical Misadventure Unit (as it was known then) where she moved into the rather challenging role as a clinical advisor. After 17 years with ACC, Paula returned to Veterans’ Affairs in 2020.
Lyn Thomas, our longest serving case manager, will be leaving us for the sun, surf and sand in the Bay of Plenty. Lyn commenced with the War Pensions Office in Hamilton in 1999 becoming a War Pensions Officer in 2006. A career in case management followed as well as a move to VA’s Wellington premises in 2013. Word of Lyn’s impending retirement has made it to the many veterans on her caseload, and many have sent messages such as this one: ‘Lyn has been exceptional in her role as case manager. In her own unique, quiet way she has just got on with her job and made many veterans thankful that somebody cares. She is meticulous at following things up and makes regular contact with those under her portfolio. I, for one, just want to add my voice to those who wish Lyn well for the future’. We wish our departing staff well as they head on to new adventures. Whilst we have staff leaving, we are also welcoming new staff who are joining us. One of these is WO1 Mario Ropitini, who is on secondment to Veterans’ Affairs from Ngati Tūmātauenga (New Zealand Army). Mario is our new Manager Rehabilitation and Case Management Services. A veteran in his own right, he brings a number of insights that we know will serve Veterans’ Affairs and our veteran community well.
Until next time, thank you all for your patience as we continue to work through your claims and your enquiries. Please continue to take care of yourselves and your mates and we look forward to serving you again in 2024.
Meri Kirihimete ki a koe me te whānau – we wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy Christmas season.
