Thousands call new Inquiry Line
A new Inquiry Line giving war veterans better access to services and advice has proven to be an immediate success with almost 2,000 calls a week.
“The response to the Inquiry Line has been incredible, with more than 13,000 calls from veterans since it started on 23 June,” said Minister of Veterans Affairs Judith Collins, who visited the Veterans Affairs New Zealand (VANZ) Inquiry Line call centre in its first week.
“VANZ has been working hard to meet the needs of veterans and focus on improving the delivery of services. The Inquiry Line was set up to give veterans a single point of contact for a wide range of services and advice.
“It has been an outstanding success, with 98 percent of calls during its first month responded to and resolved at the first contact with the caller.”
The Inquiry Team can help veterans with inquiries about pensions, information on the Veterans SuperGold card, and details about memorials and funding for commemorations.
The Inquiry Line also provides information on how veterans can get a case manager, how the case management system works and what is available through case management for partners and children of veterans.
Free Phone 0800 483 8372 (0800 4 VETERAN).
Two new conditions added to Vietnam veterans’ presumptive list
Vietnam veterans who have Parkinson’s Disease or Ischaemic Heart Disease are now eligible to apply for a war disablement pension. This recent announcement by VANZ means that there are now 15 conditions on the presumptive list for Vietnam veterans. The presumptive lists are based on medical and scientific research which indicates that if a veteran of one of the listed theatres of operations is suffering from one of the listed disabilities, it is likely that it was attributable to the veteran’s service.
New website honours 28th Maori Battalion
Te Puni Kokiri and the Ministry of Culture and Heritage are behind a new website honouring the 28th Maori Battalion. The website tells the stories of the 28th Maori Battalion through pictures, video, and audio. It also features an interactive map that follows the battle trail of the battalion from the Battalion’s departure from New Zealand in 1940 to its return in 1946. Registered contributors are encouraged to add their own memories to the site. The website can be viewed at www.28maoribattalion.org.nz and www.teopetaua28.maori.nz.