Within the next five years the work of Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand will be at a crossroads as veterans of modern day deployments become the largest group in the veteran population. Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand will need to make changes to meet the needs of this group.
The focus of service delivery will need to shift to early intervention and rehabilitation. The right services need to be in place to ensure that the impacts of service are addressed as they arise and so that veterans with service related health and wellbeing issues get the support they need to enable them to get on with their lives.
It is equally important that we continue to meet the needs of the ageing veteran population. Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand works with other government agencies to ensure that veterans are accessing the government funded support and services that they need. I have recently introduced a new initiative “Case Management in the Community” where case managers go and visit different areas and meet with veterans face to face. This allows veterans to put a face to Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand and to air their issues and concerns directly.
It is essential that the Government is responsive to the changing needs of veterans. It is important that we learn from the past and focus on ensuring that Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand is ready to meet the needs of the future.
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 2010
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