Honouring and Supporting our Veterans – National Policy

Sadly, many returning veterans feel undervalued and overlooked. The commitment and sacrifice made by New Zealand’s servicemen and women deserve gratitude and tangible support. According to a recent survey by Veterans Affairs New Zealand (VANZ), 92 per cent of respondents believe that New Zealand has a moral duty to support its service members and their families. However, only 37 per cent feel that New Zealand is living up to this obligation. 

Compounding this concern is the troubling trend of increasing wait times for support through VANZ, leaving those in need without timely assistance. In response, National will take a range of steps to show our genuine appreciation for veterans and acknowledge their service and sacrifice on behalf of New Zealanders. Our aim will be to foster a deeper sense of recognition, inclusivity, and support for veterans. 

1. Armed Forces Covenant: In partnership with veterans, we will create a New Zealand Armed Forces Covenant, mirroring those in Australia, Canada, and the UK. This covenant will formally recognise veterans’ service and outline our duty to support them. 

2. Definition of a veteran: National will review the definition of veteran to ensure it is appropriate for modern service and establish a voluntary register to identify veterans, ensuring they receive the resources and support they deserve. 

3. Support processing target: To expedite support for veterans, we will introduce a target for VANZ to process requests within 20 working days of receiving all necessary information, ensuring timely assistance.