What is a Veteran?

The Government have released the Veterans Advisory Board (VAB) Report on What is a Veteran and how will New Zealand acknowledge a Veteran.  Click HERE to read the full report which was provided to Government on 28 June 2019.

The Minister of Veterans Affairs also released a media report which can be read HERE.

So What is a Veteran?  We still do not know. However, we will need to be prepared to engage the VAB when they spend the next six or so months talking to New Zealanders.  So take the time to read the report.

Call me a cynic, but I cannot understand why this step in the process has been initiated.  It would appear that this Government cannot make a decision based on what is fair and implemented by all our Commonwealth friends and allies.  Are we in New Zealand so different from those Service and Ex-Servicemen and women of other nations? or have our Commonwealth brother and sisters got it all wrong. I think not.  If it comes down to money then this Government has had no compunction about spending and if a Serviceman or woman needs support for the Service they have provided to their country then the country will need to dig deeper into their pockets and provide that support.

Please be ready when the VAB call and let’s all provide them with the endorsement that is required to put this subject of WHAT IS A VETERAN to bed.