Welcome

Welcome to my first monthly report on what’s happening in the Veteran’s Affairs portfolio.

Veterans have made an immense contribution to our current freedoms and it’s a pleasure to be your voice in Cabinet.

In July I asked Parliament, through a Notice of Motion, to mark the fact that 27 July 2007 was the 54th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice which brought to  an end the hostilities of the Korean War, in which over 6,000 New Zealanders served with a loss of 45 New Zealand lives.

Passchendaele Archives Project

2007 is the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele, one of the most tragic battles of WWI.

In July I officially received from Archives NZ digitally scanned copies of the casualty forms of the 1,335 NZ servicemen killed in action during the Battle of Passchendaele. These forms have now been sent to the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 for their Archives project. 

Rugby World Cup a Chance to Remember Sacrifices

During WWI, ten All Blacks lost their lives in the Western Front, including Originals Captain, Dave Gallaher. 

I strongly encourage All Blacks’ supporters travelling to the World Cup to purchase an information pack produced by the RNZRSA which includes a brief history of the Western Front, the cemeteries where NZ servicemen lie, and the memorials devoted to them. 

Viet Nam Veterans’ Register

VANZ is collating a register of Viet Nam veterans and their family members to help paint a clear picture of the effects of service and monitor trends in the health and wellbeing of veterans and their families. So far 3,455 people have registered and as a result we have been able to identify people eligible for assistance. 

Last Post Essay Competition Winners Visit NZ

The Last Post Association honours the memory of the soldiers of the British Empire, who fought and died in the immortal Ypres Salient. As part of this, they sponsor an annual international essay competition for students on a topic related to World War One. 

I had the pleasure of meeting the two winners from Belgium in July, Pieter Bulcke and Loes Debuysere (pictured). The NZ winner will soon visit Belgium