Questions for RNZRSA Candidates
The following questions will be put to all candidates who have thrown their hats in the ring for election at the RNZRSA Board. The new Board will be elected in February 2022. Candidates responses will be included below each question when received.
1. In your opinion who do you consider to be a Veteran?
John Smith– I Believe that once a person has attested & signed the dotted line they are a veteran as is the policy with the other commonwealth countries. The RNZRSA is still very much involved in working to see this happen but for the last change in Govt under Ron Mark it would have happened, we must continue the task to complete the work done to date. I believe this is thinking of most ex or serving members.
Stan Hansen – I was tasked with developing a definition of ‘what is a veteran’ some time ago. I spent 18 months researching, interviewing, receiving advice and views from a very broad section of current and past serving male and female persons, who shared differing views, all of which I respect.
Currently, there are two definitions, one the RNZRSA has adopted and accepted and one recognised by the Government, which differ in content and application.
My opinion is that if you have attested and signed the loyalty oath, you should be given veteran status, to assist with any either mental or physical injury one may suffer as a result of your service. In saying that, I recognise deployment to a combat or conflict zone is held in very high regard by combat veterans, however, one of the most important persons that could possibly never be exposed to those experiences, but I would call a veteran, is the paymaster, without whom it would be difficult to encourage service persons to conduct their business. The same can be said for all the support persons who maintain the ability for operations to be conducted, with professionalism, either on home soil or overseas deployments.
The service person knows what they have achieved, accomplished, where, and how differs immensely for each service. Some have done many things, but regard themselves as non-veterans, but I have never sighted or heard a veteran demanding more than others owing to his/her veteran status, i.e., combat, or non-combat, when entering an RSA.
I struggle with the view that if one has been dis-honourably discharged, they should not be entitled to veteran status. Many who have been released as such are affected by their service, and many are most probably the best mate to have your back. There would always be an exception to this view, which should be explored on an individual basis.
I regard a veteran as being a person who has signed up and served in the New Zealand Defence Force.
2. What is your view on who should be eligible to be buried in the Services Section of a local cemetery?
John Smith – The services cemetery should be for all service people many of whom may have served 20 or more years but not classed as returned. It should be Returned & Services cemetery.
Stan Hansen – I feel NZDF persons who have completed full employment conditions (i.e., 20 years’ service), NZDF persons who have died as a direct result of their service, husband, or wife of NZDF persons, Police, Ambulance, Fire & Emergency, Corrections, and or any person who by definition is regarded as being pivotal public service.
3. Professor Ron Patterson in his final report made 64 recommendations, which the government accepted. A fair number of the recommendations are still awaiting government action. What would you do to ensure those outstanding recommendations are brought to a successful conclusion?
John Smith – Any of the recommendations that have not been addressed need to be and the RNZRSA will always do the best for veterans to ensure all recommendations are fully addressed.
Stan Hansen – Firstly, ascertain which of the recommendations have yet to be adopted. Secondly, review the outstanding recommendations to ascertain if they are indeed still relevant. Ascertain a reason why they have not been actioned and commence intense bilateral MP lobbying to recommence the progress of the recommendations as well as continued direct Ministerial contact, encouraging recommendations adoption and application, on a regular basis. For this to be successful, all Associations will need to be fully and regularly informed and be encouraged to participate in lobbying at the local level, ensuring the message is consistent in delivery. Teamwork!
4. Is it time for the word ‘Returned’ in the RNZRSA title to be changed? A more inclusive descriptive word like Veteran seems more relevant.
John Smith – I wouldn’t like to see the Returned removed as I believe too many have served under that title which is known to everyone and is part of the history of this country & its service people. The present title is Returned & Service and I see this as the correct title as long as service members are accorded the same rights. Once again in changing a title, it will require many years before people understand who it relates to, we just have to ensure that people understand what the RSA is about. I also don’t believe a change in name will increase our membership.
Stan Hansen – No. To remove the word ‘Returned’ will require many changes to different Acts of Parliament, current and past binding legislation, our Rules, registrations, logo’s etc. as well as Royal approval with all the connotations attached! This is something that would take many years to change, and at the end of the day, the work, and activities we conduct, will continue to be accomplished in the same or similar manner. The legalities involved, would not support the change. For example, if the RNZRSA changed to Veterans Association, (VA) confusion happens! Veteran Affairs (VA) has already flogged the VA abbreviation. Changing a name does little to change a culture within.
5. The Veterans Advisory Board [VAB] was mandated under former MP Ron Mark but, precious little has been heard since the year 2020 Government was elected. What is the current role of the VAB and what part does the RNZRSA have in supporting/questioning the recommendations of the Board?
John Smith – The President of the RNZRSA is a member of the Veterans Advisory Board & ensures matters involving veterans go to the table of the board.
Stan Hansen – I understand the VAB has completed the two papers they were asked to advise on; however, these are yet to be acted on by the current Government.
The role of the Board is to offer advice and recommendations to the Government when called upon to assist. The advice or recommendations are not binding.
The Board comprises of many qualified persons who represent ex & current serving NZDF personnel representing each arm of the Services, RNZRSA, DHBs etc. Their findings and recommendations are available for anyone to view.
The RNZRSA has a sitting member on the Board who has valued input into discussions as these occur, so the RNZRSA is part of the equation. Discussion points are discussed with the President’s Forum for positive inclusion.
6. In today’s world the RNZRSA is considered by some as an irrelevant association. What would be your ideas to turn this perception around?
John Smith – In today’s world some may see the RNZRSA as irrelevant and in fact, many serving people don’t understand what the RSA is about, I see the RSA today as more relevant today with the deployments our service people are involved with and the effect it also has on their families.
Stan Hansen – I recognise there is discontent, and some people express frustrations openly in social media, usually their own, and unfortunately at times, very destructive posts. Social media is a reality and should be used to benefit the RSA, exposing the many positives we do as well as being an effective communication tool.
The inclusion of like-minded Associations and organisations on equal terms is imperative to understanding who we are. In saying that, we MUST accept others’ views on equal terms as valued partners. The days of dominance are long gone!
The creation of positive relationships is imperative to success. This is not difficult but does require us to accept and make changes when required. We may need to become more approachable, more understanding.
I often wonder why someone would want to join a local RSA when one is exposed to some of the negative activities. So, the enemy is not outside, it is within. This is no different to other Sports clubs etc though. However, we are supposed to be Militarily disciplined, which makes one wonder why there is at times immature conflicts. So, what I am suggesting is we need to sort our act out which will demonstrate we are relevant, respected and can be included as a valued community organisation that people will aspire to become part of.
How relevant can we be? I remind the flag debate showed just how relevant we can be. I openly invite discussion with the detractors, as they have a voice, which needs to be heard. This has been the same since the boys came home after WW11, to be lectured by their fathers of WW1. Still happening. Same stuff, different day.
The RSA makes a huge difference to many people on a daily basis, usually quietly behind the scenes, but these differences are life-changing and lifesaving. That is relevant at work.