Ross Himona – New Zealand Veterans Advocate

Wednesday 18 February 2025
YouTube Commentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wem1x5PNcMI

Reference: New Zealand Military Veterans – Warrant of Fitness Report by Professor Ron Paterson (March 2018)

Ross Himona’s recent YouTube commentary delivers a direct, uncompromising, and thought-provoking message regarding the ongoing challenges faced by New Zealand military veterans. His commentary sits squarely alongside the findings of Professor Ron Paterson’s 2018 Warrant of Fitness Report, which highlighted systemic shortcomings in the way veterans’ services were delivered and funded.

Of note, correspondence dated 21 December 2020 from the then Minister of Finance, Grant Robertson, to the Minister of Veterans confirmed that no invitation would be extended for submissions relating to new military veteran funding initiatives at that time.

In contrast, in June 2023, the same Minister of Finance approved an additional $21 million over two years to the University of Otago as part of a broader $128 million national support package for the tertiary education sector.

Following the change of government in 2024, Grant Robertson was appointed Vice-Chancellor (Chief Executive) of the University of Otago. The role carries an annual salary of approximately $629,000, placing it among the highest remunerated academic leadership positions in New Zealand. By comparison, the salary of a New Zealand Cabinet Minister is approximately $304,300 per annum. Notably, Mr Robertson is the first non-academic to hold the Vice-Chancellorship in the university’s 155-year history.

Veterans continue to advocate for equitable recognition, adequate resourcing, and implementation of recommendations long identified in independent reviews. The broader question remains whether national funding priorities appropriately reflect the service and sacrifice of New Zealand’s military veterans.