Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand plays a vital role in ensuring the heath and wellbeing of the veteran community. It provides the link between veterans and the Government; ensuring veterans are better informed and better able to access services.
The majority of the veteran population is ageing and it is important that we recognise their special needs. It is equally important that we recognise the contribution made by modern day veterans and ensure that we learn from the past and ensure that we monitor areas of specific risk and have the right services in place.
In the years ahead, Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand will be working hard to meet the needs of veterans and to focus on improving the delivery of services, with particular emphasis on improving turn around times for War Disablement Pension claims. Veterans' Affairs New Zealand will make the most efficient use of its resources to ensure that those veterans that need services have access to the services they require.
At the same time, I will be developing new legislation to ensure that we have a legislative framework in place to support an improved level of service delivery.
To better plan for the future needs of veterans, it is vital that Veterans' Affairs New Zealand has access to accurate and up to date information. To assist them, questions relating to war and emergency service will be included in the next Census.
Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand is making progress in some key areas, such as the move towards total case management and the formation of an expert panel to help better understanding issues relating to veterans’ service-related health and how they can be addressed in the war pensions and veterans’ support systems.
It is essential that the Government listens to veterans and is responsive to their changing needs. I look forward to ongoing dialogue with the veterans’ community on their concerns, their aspirations and what we, as a government, can do better.
Our war veterans have special status in the community. I am committed to ensuring that we honour their contribution to our peace, security, freedom, and democracy.
Hon Judith Collins
Minister of Veterans’ Affairs
27 April 2009
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