AN OPINION – FESR/ANZUK DEPLOYMENTS

In respect of the subject matter, while taking the time to review the Mount Everest of RNZNCA correspondence, it is underwhelming to note that the association after seven/eight years, {in spite of formal evidence-based correspondence from within New Zealand and our Commonwealth Allies that was forwarded to the many and various Ministers of Defence [MoD] and Ministers for Veterans [MfV] for their
consideration and action}, the RNZNCA has yet to receive a sincere straight forward answer! The vexed and well-rehearsed question remains why New Zealand military personnel ashore and afloat deployed under the FESR/ANZUK banner carrying out the identical duties and responsibilities as their Australian and UK counterparts who, by their respective governments, have received appropriate medallic recognition; while to the New Zealand government such similar action remains out of earshot.

Also, I’m sure it will be of no surprise to know most of the association letters will have been ‘sliced and diced,’ and scrutinised by previous MoDs and MfVs together with the government myriad of departments; and in return, the association continue to receive stock standard replies along the lines; “thank you for your correspondence, it is a complicated and multilayered issue and, as such, it has been
forwarded to a specialist working group” or, another area of the bureaucracy where it disappears into the vortex of covert administrative silence!

Because of self-imposed bandwidth limitations, this will be my last opinion of our BLOG on matters FESR/ANZAC medallic recognition. Over past years many within the RNZNCA have waxed lyrical in support of our NZ military brothers and sisters trusting that the NZ government will see fit to cease looking through the wrong end of their telescope and adjust their gyrocompass to formally recognise those who
have served! HOPE springs eternal!

With the MoD {Hon Peeni Henare} and MfV {Hon Meka Whaitiri} now in charge it is a good reason to believe the new breed of Ministers will quickly clear away the bureaucrat foggy smoke screens and be able to positively and sensibly resolve the New Zealand military personnel FESR/ANZUK conundrum!

Pono ake ake ki te kaupapa! [Forever faithful to the cause].