SUBSUNK QUERY
Opinion piece by Neal Catley, FNZIM
In naval terminology, SUBSUNK refers to a submarine that is submerged and unable to return to the surface under its own power. It is an apt metaphor when considering the New Zealand Veterans’ Recognition Bill, introduced to the House of Representatives on Wednesday, 13 August 2025, by the Minister of Veterans.
When compared with the provisions of allied Commonwealth nations, the Bill highlights a stark reality: service personnel who attested to serve New Zealand but completed fewer than three years of service fall outside the Minister’s scope of recognition. For these men and women – particularly when measured against the veteran status afforded by our Commonwealth partners [listed below] – the term SUBSUNK regrettably captures their present situation.
On the face of it, one can only conclude that the office of the Minister for Veterans and his senior leadership group consider our service personnel to be of a different standard from those of our close Five Eyes partners, Australia and the United Kingdom – both of which recognise former service members as veterans after a single day of attested qualifying service. In contrast, the New Zealand Veterans’ Recognition Bill requires three years. Does nationality determine who qualifies as a Veteran?
The disparity is perplexing and warrants correction as the Bill makes its way through the House. By dint of fairness, those ex-service people who are presently SUBSUNK could be brought back to the surface and SALVAGED, placing them on an even keel with the veterans of our Five Eyes partners.
To Rehearse. [From Google].
NEW ZEALAND
In the proposed Veteran Recognition Bill, the general benchmark, with a few exceptions, is primarily those whose service qualified for medallic recognition: [New Zealand Defence Service Medal for at least three years of service].
UNITED KINGDOM
Service personnel in the United Kingdom may be recognised as veterans after a single day of service. Eligibility excludes only those who are dishonourably discharged or released because their service is no longer required.
AUSTRALIA
Has progressively expanded veteran recognition to more comprehensively acknowledge former service members. General recognition: Anyone who has served at least one day of continuous full-time service in the Australian Defence Force is eligible for a Veteran Card and lapel pin. Reservists: Those who have not served full-time are generally ineligible for the Veteran Card but may receive a designated lapel pin, subject to some exceptions.
CANADA
Is administered by Veterans Affairs Canada, which defines a veteran as anyone who has been honourably released from the Canadian Armed Forces after completing basic training.
Eligibility for a Veteran’s Service Card requires: Service in the Regular Force or Primary Reserves for any period, Completion of basic training, Honourable release.
Nota Bene.
The national Returned and Services Association (HQ RNZRSA) rules explicitly include all honourably discharged ex–service people as eligible for membership, as long as they meet the citizenship/residency and age rules.
There is no requirement in the national rules that you must have served for a minimum time. e.g., a minimum number of months/years) to be eligible, beyond having served and providing evidence of that service.