Search

Up to 30 Korean War veterans will be funded to attend the 60th anniversary commemorations of the Korean War Armistice in July next year, Veterans Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.

“This will be a chance for veterans to pay tribute to their fellow servicemen and women who served New Zealand in this conflict. It is an important way of honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“All expenses will be covered for those selected to attend the events in Korea, including medical care.

New Zealanders have just one week left to have their say on how to ballot attendance at Anzac Day 2015 in Gallipoli, says Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy.

“We expect that record numbers of New Zealanders and Australians will want to attend Gallipoli commemorations in 2015, marking the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings.

“Because of the steep terrain, the Anzac Commemorative Site in Gallipoli can safely hold only about 10,000 people. This means both countries will need to manage numbers in 2015 to ensure everyone’s safety.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy says the 94th anniversary of the end of the First World War tomorrow is a day to remember those who lost their lives while serving New Zealand in this conflict.  

The Allies signed an Armistice with Germany ending hostilities on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

“The First World War took an enormous toll on New Zealand, and this is a chance to remember the men and women who served,” says Mr Guy.

A new $60 million package will improve the support and recognition given to veterans who have served New Zealand, says Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy.

Prime Minister John Key announced the new package at the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association’s National Council in Wellington tonight.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has announced this year’s winner of the Battle of Passchendaele Multi-Media Competition as Nathan Garry, 17, from Dunstan High School in Alexandra.

Thank you for this opportunity to acknowledge the sacrifice made by those New Zealanders who fought in the Battle of Passchendaele 95 years ago.

The Battle of Passchendaele Multi-Media Competition is designed to promote a greater understanding amongst young New Zealanders of the terrible sacrifices made during this battle.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has launched a public consultation programme today on how to ballot attendance at Anzac Day 2015 in Gallipoli.

“April 25th 2015 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landings on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. Because of the historical significance, we expect many more people than usual will want to attend commemorations.

“The Anzac Commemorative Site in Gallipoli has a limited capacity, which means New Zealand and Australia will need to manage numbers in 2015 to ensure everyone’s safety.

Members of the New Zealand Defence Force who served in Syria as part of the United Nations Supervision Mission this year will be eligible for war pensions and allowances, the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Nathan Guy has announced today. 

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has commemorated the first ever New Zealand Malayan Veterans’ Day in Wellington today.

“This memorial day will become an annual event, and a chance to pay tribute to all those who served during these conflicts.

“New Zealand forces from all three branches were involved in the Malayan Emergency from 1948 to1960 and the Confrontation from 1963 to 1966.

It is an honour to address you all on the inaugural New Zealand Malayan Veterans’ Day. This memorial day is long overdue. Unfortunately, many veterans have passed away before seeing the day when their service and sacrifice is marked and remembered.

Nathan Guy is heading to Australia today for a range of meetings covering the Veterans’ Affairs, Immigration, and forestry portfolios.

Mr Guy will be meeting with Australian ministers and officials in Canberra to discuss planning for the 2015 Anzac commemorations at Gallipoli.

“It’s important we work closely together on what is going to be a very important event for Australia, New Zealand and Turkey.”

Mr Guy will also be meeting with Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has today acknowledged the 97th anniversary of the battle for Chunuk Bair, which marked the turning point in the Gallipoli campaign of the First World War.

“The hilltop of Chunuk Bair was bravely taken by the Wellington Battalion on the morning of 8th August 1915. This heroic effort came after other New Zealand Mounted Rifles units and the Maori Contingent cleared a path through Turkish defences.

Good morning. Today you are setting off on a long journey to London to pay tribute to all those who served in Bomber Command during World War II.

Nearly 6,000 New Zealanders served in Bomber Command during the war and sadly, 1851 did not return home.

I’m sure that when the new memorial is unveiled you will be thinking of those friends and colleagues who did not return home with you.

In total, 55,000 Bomber Command personnel lost their lives.

The bombing raids were dangerous, but played a major role in weakening the German war effort.

A group of 32 Bomber Command veterans have been farewelled on their way to London for the unveiling of an official memorial by the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Nathan Guy.

The new memorial in London will pay tribute to the 55,000 Bomber Command personnel who were killed during World War II, including 1,851 New Zealanders.

“The unveiling by Her Majesty the Queen will pay tribute to so many who gave their lives on what were highly dangerous missions.

Thank you for your invitation to speak here today. I’d like to acknowledge:

More New Zealand veterans will be acknowledged for their service in operations overseas as part of a new initiative in Budget 2012, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy says.

“The Budget provides new operating funding of $4.8 million over the next four years to extend war pension coverage to those who served in 10 additional military deployments.

“This means that veterans will be eligible for a War Disablement Pension for any disability that occurred as a result of service in these overseas missions.

E nga mana, e nga reo                                         

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga karanga maha e huihui nei
 

Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa. 

Ladies and gentlemen and distinguished guests, it is an honour to address an ANZAC Dawn Service on behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand, and particularly so here on the hallowed ground of the Gallipoli Peninsula. 

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy will represent New Zealand at the 97th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign in Turkey tomorrow.

“This is a time to remember those thousands of New Zealanders who stepped ashore on Gallipoli 97 years ago and who never returned.

“8556 New Zealanders landed at Anzac Cove. Nearly a third - 2721 – were killed, with thousands more injured.”

Mr Guy says between 5000 and 7000 people, including many young New Zealanders, are expected to attend the commemorations.

Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Nathan Guy has invested Turkish citizen Mr Ali Partal as an Honorary Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, in recognition of his work supporting Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli.

“This is the first time a Turkish national has ever received a Royal New Zealand Award and is well deserved.”

The award was presented at a ceremony in Canakkale, Turkey this morning (New Zealand time).

Good morning distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. It’s an honour and privilege to address you today.

I was here two days ago visiting this place of great significance, and have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and getting to know Governor Tuna.

The conflict which took place here nearly a century ago was a defining moment for New Zealand – a small, young nation, half a world away.

The War Disablement Pension and Veteran’s Pension payment rates will increase from 1 April as part of the annual cost of living adjustment, the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Nathan Guy has confirmed today.

“A 1.77 percent increase will be made to the payment rates of War Disablement Pension and Veteran’s Pension, which reflects increases to the Consumers Price Index (CPI),” says Mr Guy.

“This adjustment is made every year to ensure that veterans are not disadvantaged by the rising cost of living.”

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has commemorated the 70th anniversary of the fall of Singapore at a wreath laying ceremony in Wellington today.

“The fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942 was a major event in World War II. During the conflict 35 New Zealand airmen lost their lives, and hundreds of our servicemen and civilians became prisoners of the Japanese.