4 March 2026
Tēnā koe Spencer Jones
Official Information Act request
Thank you for your email of 10 February 2026, requesting information about
veteran access to Ministry support from 1 January 2019 onwards.
I have considered your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).
Please find my decision on your request set out below.
The Ministry was unable to locate any documentation which addresses any of your
questions for the period 1 January 2019 to now. As such, your request for any
briefings, advice, correspondence or guidance is refused under section 18(e) of
the Act, as this information does not exist or, despite reasonable efforts to locate
it, cannot be found.
In the spirit of being helpful, we will provide you with some contextual information
to respond to your request.
1. address how veterans (including disabled or medically retired veterans) are
supported or identified within mainstream MSD services.
To help the Ministry identify veterans, when applying for a benefit, the Work and
Income forms ask clients if they have served in the armed forces.
The Veteran’s Pension provides retirement income for New Zealand veterans who
have recognised service and have reached the qualifying age for New Zealand
Superannuation. You can find more information about Veteran’s Pension here:
www.workandincome.govt.nz/map/income-support/main-benefits/veterans-
pension/introduction.html While service-related Disablement Pension entitlements are managed by Veterans'
Affairs (VA), the Ministry will also provide Disability Allowance for veterans for
services that are not covered by VA. You can read more about Disability Allowance
here:
www.workandincome.govt.nz/map/income-support/extra-help/disability-
allowance/index.html
2. discuss whether veterans face barriers in accessing non-statutory or
community support through mainstream systems; -
Many veterans do not know what support is available to them, or how to find it.
Rural veterans face significant challenges, including a lack of transportation and
distance from service providers. VA and the Ranfurly Veterans Trust hold forums
throughout the country on a yearly basis.
The Aurora Centre, 56 The Terrace, PO Box 1556, Wellington
– Telephone 04-916 3300 – Facsimile 04-918 0099
Veterans and caregivers are invited along to these forums to meet Case Managers
and other support agencies.
This is one of the ways we interact face to face and assist with any ongoing
challenges they may have and provide information about seniors support available
through the Ministry.
3. Consider coordination or interface responsibilities between MSD and
Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand; or
4. record decisions about whether veterans should be treated as a distinct
group for navigation or referral purposes.
There is an Approved Information Sharing Agreement (AISA) which allows for
improved data exchange to streamline services and reduces the burden on
veterans to provide repetitive information.
You can find a copy of the AISA and more information about this here:
www.nzdf.mil.nz/assets/Uploads/DocumentLibrary/Approved-Information-
Sharing-Agreement-Approval-to-Consult.pdf. If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact
[MSD request email]. If you are not satisfied with my decision on your request, you have the right to
seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman. Information about how to
make a complaint is available a
t www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi nui
pp.
Anna Graham
General Manager
Ministerial and Executive Services
