It’s a privilege to be the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs and be speaking here today.

New Zealanders in both the Royal and Merchant Navies served in seas far and wide, from Iceland to Japan, providing valuable and skilled assistance to the Allied defence.

For many of the thousands of New Zealanders serving in these Navies, the setting for much of their war service was the treacherous Arctic Ocean, working in convoys to reach North Russia. From 1941 to 1945, through sheer determination and great courage, those onboard the convoys managed to deposit over four million tons of vital supplies to Russia.

The maintenance of the passage through the Artic Ocean was one of the most perilous operations of the war at sea.

Celebrated New Zealand author Denis Glover served on Artic convoy escort vessels. His comments vividly illustrate the conditions faced by New Zealand seamen so far from home…

'Suddenly would come attack by high level bombers, dive bombers, torpedo bombers and the submarines, often all together. The ship would erupt in a shattering, sinister symphony of gunfire.'

The severe weather conditions in that extreme northern part of the world, along with the long periods of darkness during winter, increased the danger and discomfort of those working aboard the convoys. The convoys faced constant threat from enemy U-boats for long periods of time, as well as being within striking range of German aircraft.

792 allied ships sailed through these icy waters. 739 returned.

Today we honour these veterans. Their efforts and sacrifice, both during the war years and, for those who returned, afterwards in their homes and communities, contributed significantly towards the way of life we enjoy in New Zealand today. A way of life in which we often take for granted our certainty in our democratic rights and our freedom to live and worship the way we choose.

This is the way we live and what we have to be thankful for. This is our National Identity, our sense of nationhood, which was still growing and developing during the war years.

Within organisations such as the Russian Convoy Club, veterans find the friendship and support that can help to ease the burdens of war that may stay with them long beyond the end of hostilities.

The Government designated 2006 the Year of the Veteran, and New Zealanders were provided with an opportunity to reflect on and to appreciate the service and sacrifice of our veterans; including remembering the perilous journeys of those service personnel who sailed in the Arctic convoys.

Thousands of veterans’ badges and certificates were presented to veterans of all the recognised wars and emergencies in which New Zealand service personnel have taken part. These badges and certificates will continue to be available on an ongoing basis.

Many local Year of the Veteran projects were initiated that show how much veterans are appreciated by their communities. Memorials were restored; local functions and parades were held, as well as other commemorative activities, such as exhibitions and concerts. Lasting memorials were created, such as books, television programmes, plaques, flagpoles, memorial stones, statues and seats; including a Merchant Navy memorial plaque here on the waterfront.

In 2005, I was also pleased to learn that Russia was commemorating the 60th anniversary of the North Sea convoys with the presentation of the “60 years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War” commemorative medal to those who served in the convoys, including your members.

The 60th anniversary medal and the Year of the Veteran activities helped to draw the attention of New Zealanders to the contribution made by New Zealand service personnel, so far from home, to keep the supply lines open for a country very different from our own. Many New Zealanders may have previously been unaware of this service by New Zealanders in the very inhospitable North Sea.

In these ways, as well as this annual service we recognise and remember their service, and sacrifice, as well as their continuing contribution to our communities.