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Tēnā koutou katoa –greetings to all
This is our first magazine for 2025, and our summer holidays now seem like a distant memory. Easter and Anzac Day provided an opportunity for us to reconnect with those closest to us and to remember those who are no longer here.
Veterans’ Affairs staff joined our New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) colleagues collecting for the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association annual Poppy Day appeal. It's an appropriate lead into Anzac Day commemorations. A day that reminds us of the service and sacrifice provided by many who have served our country.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. While the ranks of our Second World War veterans are diminishing, we remember the selfless service of a generation whose values are upheld today by those serving here and abroad, as part of the NZDF.
My grandfather served in the British medical corps during the African and Italian campaigns. While he has long passed, I still remember hearing the stories and being captured by them, stories I now pass on to my own children.
We continue to engage with our veteran community through our regular case management clinics, most recently in South Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Christchurch and Dunedin since February of this year. In May we hosted a veterans’ forum in partnership with Ranfurly Veterans’ Trust and I want to thank those veterans and their families who came along and engaged not only with Veterans’ Affairs, but also with the other agencies and organisations in attendance. It’s always great to hear from our veterans face-to-face.
There will be more forums in Kerikeri and New Plymouth before the end of June, so keep an eye on our website, and Facebook page for further details.
Lastly, you might have heard Minister Penk announce the Government’s intention to introduce a new piece of legislation dedicated solely to recognising veterans. You can read more about it here www.va.mil.nz/recognition-bill Ngā mihi
The Veterans’ Affairs Magazine update
We are sorry to advise our loyal readers that we will be ceasing publication of the Veterans' Affairs Magazine next year, with the last issue coming to you in April 2026. This decision has been made because of the ever-increasing cost of postage and distribution.
But you can still keep in touch with Veterans' Affairs and the veteran community. We suggest you subscribe to our monthly email newsletter at this link, www.va.mil.nz/newsletter That way you'll always be up-to-date with all of our news.
