As part of the Defence Force, Veterans Affairs New Zealand (VANZ) exists to meet the government’s obligations to veterans through the provision of policy advice to the government and service delivery to the veteran community. VANZ has recently launched a newsletter (VANZ News) and a new-look website to help serve its community of about 20,000 veterans and surviving spouses. VANZ News is produced three times a year and keeps veterans up to date with the services VANZ provides. VANZ News can be downloaded at www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz.
Ministerial International Forum
In mid-February Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins hosted Veterans’ Affairs Ministers from Australia and Canada, and a representative from the United States Secretary for Veterans Affairs, for discussions in Wellington. The theme of the discussion was legislative reform. The keynote address was made by Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Palmer, President of the Law Commission. The visiting Ministers each made presentations that covered recent improvements and initiatives around veterans’ issues in their countries. The Ministers have resolved to continue co-operation between the countries.
War pensions and allowances to increase
All War Pensions and Allowances available to veterans will increase from 1 April 2010 as part of the annual cost of living adjustment. The increase of 1.96 per cent equates to the increase in the cost of living for the year to December 2009, as measured by the Consumers Price Index (CPI). It recognises that the increased cost of living for veterans is a concern. “Veterans who rely on their pension and allowances to help fund healthcare and other necessities shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the increased cost of living,” Veteran’s Affairs Minister Judith Collins said.
Students and Veterans to travel to Gallipoli
More than 40 New Zealand service veterans and secondary school students will join the official New Zealand contingent at Gallipoli at this year’s Anzac Day commemorations.
To mark the 95th anniversary of the Gallipoli Landings, a campaign that cost the lives of over 2,700 New Zealanders, a competition was held to find 21 students to accompany Prime Minister John Key and the official party to Anzac Cove, Turkey.
To enter, students were asked to illustrate the impact of World War One on New Zealand society by using Gallipoli as a case study. Entries could be in the form of short film, web feature, essay, a diary, letters, music or poetry.
Veteran’s Affairs Minister Ms Collins said, “As each generation has carried the spirit of the ANZACs to the next, so it will be our young people who are entrusted to carry it to future generations. This is a rare opportunity for a group of young people to visit the site of an event that did so much to define the ANZAC character.”
VANZ also selected 22 veterans from a ballot comprising those who served in past wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations, to attend the Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli.