Waitangi Tribunal Military Veterans Kaupapa Inquiry (Wai 2500)

In March a Wai 2500 hearing was held in the Rongomaraeroa-o-nga-hau-ewha Marae, the New Zealand Army National Marae, Waiouru.

For the past two and a half years the Wai 2500 inquiry has heard evidence from claimants and their whānau. The March hearing at Waiouru was the first of three to hear the Crown’s evidence.

The Chief of Army, MAJGEN King, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Force, hosted this hearing. It included presentations of evidence from the Chief of Defence, Veterans’ Affairs, former and current NZDF personnel and researchers.

Over five days the tribunal heard evidence about the structure of the NZDF, the functions and role of Veterans’ Affairs, information about deployments, the repatriation of New Zealand soldiers, psychological support for New Zealand soldiers, biculturalism and the bicultural journey of Ngāti Tumatauenga (NZ Army).

The next hearing will be at the Royal New Zealand Navy’s marae, Te Taua Moana, Devonport, Auckland between the 19 and 23 May. That hearing will hear evidence about how NZDF deploys personnel, about the impacts of and responses to NZDF personnel operating in a toxic environment, including Agent Orange in Vietnam, and about impacts and responses to those deployed to Operations Grapple and Pilaster. The tribunal will also hear about RNZN’s bicultural policy and practice, and operational experience.

The final hearing will be at the RNZAF’s Te Tauaarangi Tūrangawaewae, Ohakea, beginning 4 August.

Wai 2500 Published Research Papers

NZDF has completed research projects about Māori military service including in the South African war, both World Wars, operations in South-East Asia, and more recently in Timor-Leste and Afghanistan. These reports have been filed with the Waitangi Tribunal and are available to view on the NZDF website at this link www.nzdf.mil.nz/wai-2500-documents.

For more information about Wai 2500 and Kaupapa inquiries please go to this web page on the Waitangi Tribunal website, www.waitangitribunal.govt.nz/en/inquiries/kaupapa-inquiries/military-veterans