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On the 93rd anniversary of the end of the First World War, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins has today paid tribute to those who fought and died in the conflict.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the Allies signed an Armistice with Germany ending hostilities after more than four years of war.

“Today we commemorate the end of the First World War, and remember the men and women who served our nation,” Ms Collins said.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins today presented a $2000 education grant to the inaugural winner of a nationwide multimedia contest commemorating the Battle of Passchendaele.

Whangaparaoa College student Eve Bain, 17, received the prize from the Minister at a ceremony at Auckland Museum marking the 94th anniversary of the battle.

The competition was launched by Ms Collins to commemorate the Battle of Passchendaele which was fought in Belgium as part of the Allied offensive on the Western Front in 1917.

Whangaparaoa College student, Eve Bain, 17, has won the inaugural Battle of Passchendaele Multi-Media Competition, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins announced today.

The annual competition was launched by Ms Collins to commemorate the Battle of Passchendaele which was fought in Belgium as part of the Allied offensive on the Western Front in 1917.  

During the battle New Zealand suffered its greatest loss of life in a single day in New Zealand history.

Veterans Affairs Minister Judith Collins today paid tribute to the New Zealand airmen who fought in the Battle of Britain, one of the crucial turning points of the Second World War.

Ms Collins joined veterans, His Excellency Lieutenant General, The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, GNZM, QSO, Governor-General of New Zealand, Government representatives, members of the NZ Defence Force and the wider Defence Community, and members of the Diplomatic Corps at the National War Memorial in Wellington to mark the 71st anniversary of the battle.

Sixty-six years after Japan signed the Armistice that marked the end of World War II, New Zealanders still have immense gratitude to those who fought in the conflict, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins said today.

"We must never forget the sacrifices made and the dedication shown by those who served our country in the Second World War," Ms Collins said on the anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day.

The world has lost an inspirational and courageous woman with the passing of World War II resistance leader Nancy Wake, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins said today.

Wake, who was known as the White Mouse, died in a London hospital yesterday aged 98.

Born in Wellington, she was the Allies' most decorated WWII servicewoman for her work with the French Resistance. Although claimed by the Australians, Nancy Wake was born in New Zealand and returned to visit family when a teenager.

New Zealanders will never forget the great debt they owe those who served in the First World War, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins said today on the 97th anniversary of the start of the conflict.

On August 4, 1914, Great Britain declared war on Germany following the German invasion of Belgium.  New Zealand, as part of the British Empire, was quick to support the war and volunteer troops.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins will prepare a Cabinet paper on how the Government honours the service of veterans at further WWII 70th anniversary commemorations.

“New Zealand owes the peace and freedom we enjoy today to the courage and sacrifice of our service veterans,” Ms Collins said.

“It is very important that we honour those veterans who served during WWII, and give them whatever help we can to attend significant commemorations overseas.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins has thanked a Ministerial Advisory Group on Veterans’ Health set up two years ago to advise the Government on veterans’ health issues.

The Advisory Group was established in April 2009 and funded for two years. Its term was extended in April 2011 for three months to 30 June.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins today commemorated the 61st anniversary of the start of the Korean War at a wreath-laying ceremony in Wellington.

Ms Collins marked the anniversary with Korean War veterans, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Mr Kwang-il Noh, and Defence Force, Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand and Returned and Services’ Association representatives at the National War Memorial.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins today paid tribute to the veterans of D-Day on the 67th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy, France.

“Sixty-seven years ago today, nearly 10,000 New Zealanders were involved in the D-Day landings - the largest amphibious military operation in history,” she said.

Although no New Zealand ground forces landed at Normandy on D-Day, they played a valuable part in the campaign as members of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force transporting troops across the English Channel by sea and air. 

The presentation of the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation to veterans of 16 Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery, will ensure the bravery shown by the unit during the Korean War is not forgotten, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins said today.

The Hon Sung Choon Park, the Republic of Korea’s Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, today personally presented the unit citation insignia to each of the veterans in attendance at Linton Military Camp.

The rate at which the War Disablement Pension Gallantry Allowance is paid will increase from 9 June 2011, Minister of Veterans' Affairs Judith Collins announced today.

The allowance is paid to veterans who receive a War Disablement Pension and have one of the gallantry decorations listed in the War Pensions Act 1954. The decorations are:

Sixteen veterans of the Battle of Crete were today honoured at a reception at Parliament on the 70th anniversary of the famous Second World War battle.

The reception was hosted by Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins who paid tribute to the courage of the servicemen and the people of Crete who helped them.

Veterans and other distinguished guests attended a wreath laying ceremony at the National War Memorial and a ceremony at the Hellenic Memorial before the lunchtime reception in the Grand Hall at Parliament.

Good afternoon everyone.

It is a privilege to be speaking here today as Minister of Veterans’ Affairs.

It is great to see so many people gathered here as we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Crete.

I would like to acknowledge the distinguished guests who are with us today:

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins today paid tribute to veterans of all eras who have served New Zealand in the name of peace and freedom.

Ms Collins joined veterans and members of the public in commemorating Anzac Day at services in Papakura and at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

“On this special day, we pay tribute to those who stepped ashore at Gallipoli 96 years ago and who will forever be in our memory,” she said.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins has congratulated Brigadier (Retired) Dr Brian Thomas McMahon CBE, KStJ, who was today named the Returned and Services’ Association’s (RSA) Anzac of the Year.

“Throughout his distinguished military and medical careers, Dr McMahon displayed a tireless commitment to improving the healthcare of military personnel and the public,” Ms Collins said.

“As a soldier, a doctor, a citizen and a humanitarian, his lifetime of service has been an influence and an inspiration to many.

Veterans of the Battle of Crete will be honoured at a reception at Parliament on the 70th anniversary of the battle, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins announced today.

The Battle of Crete, which began on 20 May 1941, claimed the lives of hundreds of New Zealand troops and saw 2,000 captured as prisoners of war.

“While their numbers have dwindled, the veterans of the Battle of Crete bore witness to one of the deadliest and most difficult battles of the Second World War,” Ms Collins said.

Veterans' Affairs Minister Judith Collins today announced a national competition for secondary school students that honours the memory of one of the most significant battles of the First World War.

The annual competition will commemorate the Battle of Passchendaele, which was fought in Belgium as part of the Allied offensive on the Western Front in 1917. During the prolonged battle, New Zealand suffered its greatest loss of life in a single day in New Zealand history.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins has urged all New Zealanders to support the RSA’s Poppy Day street appeal on Thursday.

“This is the time of year when we reflect and remember those who have served our country and who have given their lives in the name of peace and freedom,” Ms Collins said.

“Every year, hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders wear the poppy to keep the memory of these brave men and women alive, but also to provide ongoing support for veterans and their families.

The inaugural presentation of the New Zealand Defence Service Medal will take place at Parliament next week. 

About 30 recipients will receive their medals from Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Judith Collins and Defence Minister Wayne Mapp on Thursday.

The new medal is awarded for non-operational military service in the Defence Force by New Zealanders. Those who have served in the military for more than three years since World War Two, and those who did compulsory military training or national military service, qualify.

The rate at which War Disablement Pensions are paid will increase by 3.75 percent from 1 April as part of the annual cost of living adjustment, Minister of Veterans' Affairs Judith Collins said today.

“This increase in the rate of the tax-free War Disablement Pension helps to ensure that our veterans are not disadvantaged by the rise in living costs,” Ms Collins said.

The Veterans’ Pension will also increase from 1 April. The new rate for a couple is $522.96 a week, after tax.

Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Judith Collins today paid tribute to the New Zealand troops who fought at the third battle of Monte Cassino, which began 67 years ago today.

The battle of Monte Cassino was fought in Italy between the Allies, including troops from New Zealand, and the Germans over several months in 1944.

Ladies and gentlemen

Thank you for that warm welcome.

It is a pleasure to be with you here today.

All our thoughts are with the people of Japan this afternoon as they confront an unimaginable crisis.

As a nation that is, itself, coming to terms with a major catastrophe, we share their grief and their sorrow at this time of great loss and uncertainty.

When the earthquake struck Christchurch on 22 February, Japan was quick to offer help.

Their people were on the ground just days after the quake struck.