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Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss today announced a $175,000 grant for the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association’s (RNZRSA) support services programme.

“Staff and volunteers at RSAs all over the country work tirelessly to support our veterans,” Mr Foss says.

“In particular, RSA Support Advisors help ensure veterans are aware of and have easy access to support services from a variety of providers, including Veterans’ Affairs.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss today announced the appointment of two new members to the Veterans’ Advisory Board.

Mr Foss last month directed the Board to consider and provide advice on New Zealand’s repatriation policy.

The two new members, Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Sir Wira Gardiner KNZM and Kevin Brady CNZM, will serve on the Board for the duration of the repatriation project.

“Sir Wira and Mr Brady bring a wealth of public sector and governance experience to the Board,” Mr Foss says.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss today announced four new appointments to the Veterans’ Health Advisory Panel.

The new members are:

• Wing Commander Dr Paul Nealis as Veterans’ Affairs ex-officio nominee;
• Professor Te Kani Kingi;
• Mr Clive Banks;
• Mr Daniel Patrick.

“The new members have a wide range of health expertise, including a focus on public and social policy, mental health, data analytics, and budget management,” Mr Foss says.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has welcomed the choice of design for the French memorial at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington.

“On Armistice Day, it’s fitting the chosen design has been unveiled,” Ms Barry says.

“The memorial, Le Calligramme, was designed by the award-winning Auckland firm Patterson Associates and takes inspiration from the work of French poet Guillaume Apollinaire.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss today announced 18-year-old Mina Bixley as the winner of the 2016 Battle of Passchendaele Multi-Media Competition.

Mina, from Tauhara College in Taupo, won a $2000 education grant for her animated short film Passchendaele on a Personal Scale.

“Mina’s moving entry illustrates the personal nature of remembrance. It also captures the very essence of the competition — ensuring New Zealand’s sacrifice on the Western Front is not forgotten,” Mr Foss says.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss has directed the Veterans’ Advisory Board (VAB) to consider New Zealand’s repatriation policy and provide advice to him.

New Zealand has a longstanding policy of not repatriating the bodies of military personnel who died while serving overseas between 1948 and mid-1970.

“While successive governments have maintained this policy, it has become increasingly clear that the rationale behind it needs further investigation,” Mr Foss says.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss today announced the appointment of Cathy O’Malley as Chairperson of the Veterans’ Health Advisory Panel.

“Ms O’Malley has senior governance experience within the public and private sectors and has studied health organisations and leadership at the prestigious Harvard Business School,” Mr Foss says.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss today launched the 2016 Battle of Passchendaele Multi-Media Competition.

“The Battle of Passchendaele was one of New Zealand’s most deadly conflicts during the First World War. On just one day — 12 October 1917 — more than 845 New Zealanders were killed and more than 2700 wounded,” Mr Foss says. 

“This annual competition, open to all year 13 students enrolled in a New Zealand secondary school, helps ensure New Zealand’s sacrifice on the Western Front is not forgotten.”

Preparations to mark the 50th anniversary of New Zealand’s involvement in the Vietnam War are well underway, with 35 veterans selected to attend a special service in Australia, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss says.

Mr Foss, the 35 veterans and three official Vietnam War representatives will travel to Canberra for the commemorative service on August 18.

“Nearly 300 veterans entered a ballot to attend the Australian service. The 35 chosen represent a cross-section of the 3800 New Zealanders who served during the Vietnam War,” Mr Foss says.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss is welcoming additional funding in Budget 2016 for veterans to travel overseas to attend commemorative events or revisit battlefields.

From 1 July 2016 the travel entitlement will increase from $2000 to $2500. The increased entitlement will be available to any new applicants. Those who have accessed part of their existing entitlement may reapply up to the new maximum.

“This Government honours the contribution our veterans have made to the peace, freedom and security New Zealand enjoys today,” Mr Foss says.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss today announced the commemorative programme for the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

“More than 3800 New Zealanders served in Vietnam between 1963 and 1975.  Sadly, 37 died during the conflict.  The 50th anniversary, to be commemorated on 18 August, is an important opportunity to acknowledge and honour all our Vietnam veterans,” Mr Foss says.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss will travel to South Korea tomorrow to mark the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong.

The 16th Field Regiment of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery played a significant role in defeating the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army during the Battle of Gapyeong on 24 April 1951.  The Regiment was awarded the Republic of Korea’s Presidential Citation.