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 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.
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
Alexander Brunt Acting Head of Veterans’ Affairs
About The Veterans’ Affairs Magazine
The Veterans’ Affairs magazine is published by Veterans’ Affairs – Te Tira Ahu Ika A Whiro. To the best of our knowledge the content in this magazine is accurate. The views expressed in Veterans’ Affairs are not necessarily those of Veterans’ Affairs or the New Zealand Defence Force.
If this magazine has been sent to the wrong address or if you no longer want to receive this can you please email veterans@nzdf.mil.nz to let us know the correct address or to have it stopped being delivered.
ISSN 2816-1327
Cover image: Cassino, DA 5505 National Army Museum Te Mata Toa
veterans@nzdf.mil.nz
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+64 4 495 2070 (rest of world)
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.
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.
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 nzdf.mil.nz/wai2500-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
Photo: Sam Shepherd, NZDF. Welcoming the tribunal, and guests to Rongomaraeroa o ngā hau e whā, the New Zealand Army National Marae, Waiouru.
Anzac Day Act will change to encompass broader service
Parliament is being asked to amend the Anzac Day Act to allow a broader range of people to be recognised and commemorated on Anzac Day.
Minister for Veterans Chris Penk has introduced the bill.
“The present Act covers only six conflicts from the South African War to the Vietnam War, as well as those who at any time gave their lives for New Zealand, the British Empire or Commonwealth of Nations.
“But New Zealanders have served in response to many more armed conflicts, including in the last 50 years. Anzac Day will now officially commemorate their service as well –and there will be provision to recognise those who will serve us in the future”.
The amendment will cover contributions from those who have served in the New Zealand armed forces in war and warlike conflicts, including in other allied forces or in United Nations missions or multi-force groupings, or other organisations involving New Zealand, such as the UN peacekeeping force on the Sinai Peninsula.
“It will also recognise those who have given non-military service in a war or warlike conflict involving New Zealand, such as the Home Guard and members of the Merchant Navy during the World Wars,” Minister Penk said.
Minister Penk believes the changes are needed to keep Anzac Day meaningful and relevant for those that have served and for all New Zealanders.
“Anzac Day is a time when we recognise the costs of service and sacrifice – it is our opportunity to honour those who served, some of whom gave their all for their country.
The Anzac Day Amendment Bill Act ensures that they will be honoured and that they will always be remembered.”
Related Cabinet papers are on the Ministry for Culture and Heritage website
www.mch.govt.nz/publications/ proposed-amendment-anzacday-act-1966-cabinet-material
A Māori design for Veterans' Affairs
To acknowledge Māori service people and Māori veterans, Veterans’ Affairs has created a Māori inspired design.
It is based on the tewhatewha (teff-ah teff-ah) which is a long-handled fighting staff that was used in battle, but not only as a weapon but also to communicate, guide and signal directions to the war party. The designer, Wiremu Farmer, duplicated and then reflected the tewhatewha to show two faces talking with each other. It represents Veterans’ Affairs communicating with former service people.
The meaning of the Veterans' Affairs Māori Design
Wheku: A wheku is a carved Māori face that represents an ancestor or guardian. The word “wheku” means “carved face”. It also represents the role of the NZDF(The Face) providing for ex-service personnel in both War-Time and Peace-Time.
Two-way conversation.
Photo: Tewhatewha (long handled fighting staff), Hawke's Bay, maker unknown. Augustus Hamilton Collection. Purchased 1914. Te Papa (ME000451)
Tūmatauenga: Māori God of War
Rongo: Māori God of Peace
Unaunahi or fish scales represent abundance in mind, body and spirit.
Niho Taniwha. This pattern carries profound connotations of resilience, leadership, and inner strength.
Veterans’ Affairs is set-up to help ex-service personnel in peace-time to prosper mentally, physically and spiritually.
During Active service in war-time.
Veterans’ Affairs
Photo: A Tewhatewha being used in a change of command ceremony. NZDF photo.
Note:
Hayden O'Brien Team Leader, Decisions
What does a Decisions Officer do?
Hayden O’Brien is a Decision Team Leader leading seven Decisions Officers. During his time at Veterans’ Affairs, he has made more than 4,000 decisions. But what does a Decisions Officer do?
The role of a Decisions Officer is to assess any claim received from either a veteran or their family for an entitlement under the Veterans’ Support Act 2014.
“We will assess all of the information provided with the application and gather any additional information that we believe is necessary in order to make a well-informed decision.” says Hayden.
The claim could be for a health condition that a veteran believes to be service-related or a claim for some other entitlement like Weekly Compensation or for Funeral Expenses. Once the information is collected, a Decisions Officer will assess it against the requirements of the Veterans’ Support Act and determine whether the claim can be accepted.
Hayden points out that some claims can take longer to process than others.
“The most common reason for this is when we need further clinical information. Sometimes that information requires an assessment by a specialist, and they can take a while to get back to us. The other reason is that sometimes we have a situation where for us to accept a claim, we first have to establish that another condition that is being claimed for is service-related.” says Hayden
The Decisions Officers are part of Veterans' Affairs' Applications and Entitlements team. This team is responsible for the claim application process from the time the application is received through to the payment of entitlements.
Hayden enjoys his role.
“I go home at night knowing that my work and that of my team will have a positive impact on our veteran community. It makes for a rewarding and enjoyable job.”
Force Financial: Government Superannuation Fund Members (GSF)
The Government Superannuation Fund (‘GSF’ or ‘Fund’) dates from 1948, when state sector employees were given a way to save for their retirement. The GSF closed on 1 July 1992 to new members, but existing members continued to contribute and take money out.
There are seven GSF schemes, and the Armed Forces Scheme is one of them.
If you are a member of a GSF scheme, it is important that your contact details are up-to-date.
The administrator for the GSF is Datacom. Please contact Datacom to ensure that they have your up-to-date details, particularly if you haven’t been in contact with them for a while.
You can do this by writing to them at: GSF Scheme Administrator PO Box 3641 Wellington 6140 New Zealand
Or phoning them at 0800 654 731, or emailing gsf@datacom.co.nz
If you need any further assistance, you can email Force Financial Hub benefits@nzdf.mil.nz
Flight Engineers mark the retirement of their Brevet
On Saturday 29 March, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Flight Engineers gathered at Air Force Museum of New Zealand to mark the official retirement of the Flight Engineer's Brevet. A significant event for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). The retirement of the P-3 Orion and C-130H Hercules also meant the last flights by RNZAF Flight Engineers. The new aircraft, the P8 Poseidon and C-130J Hercules, do not require Flight Engineers.
Commemorative project fund:
The last flight of an RNZAF Aircraft with a Flight Engineer in the crew was when Hercules 7001 landed at the Museum on 19 February.
Fifty-seven former and serving Flight Engineers, accompanied by their partners and colleagues, attended the function at the Museum. It commenced with a reading of the roll of honour of Flight Engineers who had died in Service. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded, a minute of silence was observed and a wreath was laid at the Roll of Honour.
The wreath was laid by Noel Moffat, who served from 1964 to 1979, accompanied by the Flight Sergeant Darren Matheson who joined in 2011 and is still serving.
The Museum was presented a commemorative propellor inscribed with all the aircraft types on which Flight Engineers had served. This was later signed by all the Flight Engineers present that evening.
Do you have a commemorative project or reunion coming up and would like some financial assistance? We have a fund set up to contribution to initiatives like this reunion. This is our Commemorative Fund. This fund can contribute of up to $5,000 for a commemorative project or reunion that supports a New Zealandbased project that recognise veterans' sacrifice. Find out more on our website: www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz/a-z/commemorative-project-contribution
You can find out more about the commemorative travel contribution and how to apply on our website: www.va.mil.nz/a-z/commemorative-travel-contribution/.
Processing times for claims
The following includes the average processing times for some claims, the number of claims that we are processing and the claims that we have received and processed.
Last updated: 24 February 2025
The average number of days it takes to process a claim at 31 December 2024
Why processing times vary
Some claims are relatively simple and normally processed quickly. Urgent claims are given priority.
However, more complicated claims take longer to process. Those claims might:
• include complex conditions
• need further information from medical specialists.
Please refer to the Veterans’ Affairs website for more information www.va.mil.nz/processing-times
Number of claims
The following table shows the history of claims that are in progress and those that have been completed.
