Message from the Minister of Veteran’s Affairs, Rick Barker

Welcome to my second update on the comings and goings in the Veterans’ Affairs portfolio. It’s safe to say that the Veterans’ Affairs portfolio has been keeping me busy!

As well as all the progress being made implementing the agreement signed last year with Vietnam vets,  I have spoken at the launch of  ‘War in Paradise’, encouraged Mayors to name streets after those who died fighting for their country, and overseen the adoption of presumptive lists.

Councils encouraged to remember sacrifices

In August RNZRSA President John Campbell and I wrote to all Mayors suggesting they take up the initiative of the Queenstown Lakes District Council and include the names from local war memorials in their lists of approved names for new streets.

I believe this is an excellent way of honouring the service and sacrifice of those who fought and died for the lifestyle and freedom we all enjoy, and I have had positive responses from various Mayors from all over New Zealand on the suggestion.

Viet Nam Veterans and their Families Trust

The Viet Nam Veterans and their Families Trust was established this month. The Trust is a central element of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in December 2006 by the Government and the veterans’ organisations, the Ex-Vietnam Services Association (EVSA) and the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association (RNZRSA).

Phil Goff and I sign the Trust Deed. Michael Wintringham (seated) and the trustees look on

The Trust will provide support to Viet Nam Veterans and their families in relation to concerns and circumstances not addressed elsewhere in the MOU package.

Streamlining War Disablement Pensions

This month Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand introduced presumptive lists which will speed up the process of applying for War Disablement Pensions for veterans with specific conditions from certain campaigns. The lists are available from http://www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz/pensions/index.html

Launch of Tribute 08: A Vietnam Commemoration

The Prime Minister this month launched Tribute 08, an event to be held on Queen’s Birthday weekend next year to honour the service and sacrifice of
Viet Nam veterans and their families.

Tribute 08 will allow us to acknowledge Viet Nam veterans alongside others who have served their country overseas, from WWI through to more recent conflicts such as Afghanistan
and East Timor.