THE UK ARMED FORCES COVENANT
An Enduring Covenant Between
The People of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty’s Government
– and –
All those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown
And their Families
The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that
responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing
danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty.
Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our
Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of
the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families.
They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.
Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether regular or Reserve, those who have
served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to
other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special
consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given
most such as the injured and the bereaved.
This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable
bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed
Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and
demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in
upholding this Covenant.
So what is difficult about this. Our Veterans Advisory Board have been tasked with developing a covenant (Kawenata) for New Zealand and what have we seen in the past two years. Diddly Squat!! Surely, it would not be a huge task to gather copies of the Covenants from the other four ‘big boys’ and determine how we can adapt and adjust theirs to suit our situation. Is it that easy or are we so different?? I think not.
To be clear, New Zealand service people past and present are the same status and value as their Five Eyes counterparts and, as such, are equals.
In early 2020 the previous Minister for Veterans [MfV – Ron Mark] directed his Veterans Advisory Board [VAB] to find out whether New Zealanders think there should be a formal agreement [Covenant/Kawenata] between service people, the Government, and the people of New Zealand. In short, New Zealanders believed service people and their families should receive more recognition and support. Following receipt of the VAB report the Minister Ron Mark said, “It is heartening to see the majority of New Zealanders believe that service people and their families should receive more recognition and support. I believe that a Covenant/Kawenata could provide additional recognition for the service our military personnel have given our nation, as well as support for their wellbeing and that of their whānau! I look forward to the Government having the opportunity to progress the report’s recommendations after the election.”
To cut to the chase it is now early March 2023 and the BL is that there has been little or no action by the incumbent MfV to progress the New Zealand Covenant/Kawenata. Moreover, it seems there is little chance of resurrection or action until after the general election in October this year.
I have no desire to air bags and bags of dirty linen – but it would be foolish of me not to say I am very disappointed that the New Zealand Covenant/Kawenata has not progressed to the stage of Government/Cabinet approval together with an indicative implementation date. New Zealand service people past and present deserve better treatment than this!
Agree with you Neal! Our MVA’s of late have nothing but useless mate!
Thanks for your comments Bill. Today [Monday 27 March] I sent a formal letter to the Minister for Veterans [MfV] seeking advice when the ’Military Kawenta for New Zealand’ will be a reality. The last two paragraphs of my letter are:
Quote.
It is now the back end of March 2023, and after nearly three years of passivity to complete the New Zealand Covenant/Kawenata it will be of no surprise that the lack of progress is a huge disappointment to service people past, and present.
With respect, can you please advise when you may be able to forward the Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand Covenant/Kawenata ‘business case’ to government?
Unquote
Fingers crossed!