From: Withheld under section 9(2)(g)(ii), VANZ
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2024 2:54 PM
To: Withheld under section 9(2)(a), Veterans' Affairs PPS, Office of Hon Chris Penk
Subject: Meeting between Minister and Leith Comer, Chair of VAB - and follow-up
Security classification
*** Security classification
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Hi s9(2)(a) as discussed, please find attached a background note which it may be helpful for
the Minister to read before he meets with Leith Comer on Tuesday morning – it
summarises the work that the Board has done under Leith’s chairmanship, over the past five
years.
Out of scope
s9(2)(g)(ii)
s9(2)(g)(ii)
Principal Adviser
Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand––Te Tira Ahu Ika A Whiro
Phone Withheld under section 9(2)(g)(ii)
Email Withheld under section 9(2)(g)(ii)
You can find out more about our services and support on our website:
www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz
Kimihia ētahi atu kōrero mō ā mātou ratonga, tautoko hoki ki tō mātou pae tukutuku i:
under the Official Information Act 1982
www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz
Released
Reports provided by the Veterans’ Advisory Board 2019 – 2023
2019
Who is a veteran and how should they be recognised
This report was commissioned by Minister Ron Mark. It was described, at the Minister’s
request, as an interim report, but a later version was never developed. It is published on the
Beehive website (linked to a press release from Minister Mark) and there is a link to the
report on the Veterans’ Affairs website..
The Board recommended that all who have served should be considered veterans, and they
should receive services and support on the basis of need if they have been injured or made
ill by their service in the armed forces, irrespective of where that service took place.
Ron Mark noted that this would be a substantial change to the current situation in New
Zealand and that there were a number of implications (including significant financial
implications) to be worked through.
Minister Mark took a paper to Cabinet about the Board’s work, which had also included
several other recommendations. While Cabinet noted the work that had been done, the
only Board recommendation that they agreed to progress was that which called for them to
undertake a national conversation on how New Zealanders think that those who have
served in the armed forces should be recognised, and specifically their views about
establishing a Covenant (Kawenata) between the Government and people of New Zealand
and service personnel and their families.
2020
A Military Kawenata for New Zealand
This report was commissioned by Minister Ron Mark. It is published on the Veterans’ Affairs
website (under the heading Mission Feedback).
The Board conducted a national conversation, focusing particularly on the possibility of
establishing a kawenata in New Zealand and how it could work.
Covid-19 meant that this was conducted largely through online and telephone surveys,
although 47 people took part in eight focus groups around the country. 6152 completed the
online survey (70 percent of whom were current or former service people). The telephone
survey reached 776 respondents.
The report was presented to the Minister in July 2020.
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2021
Options to better recognise New Zealand veterans
This report was commissioned by Minister Meka Whaitiri. It is published on the VA website
under the title
Better recognition of service people (former and serving) and their whānau.
She requested advice on “how New Zealand may better recognise military veterans who
have served New Zealand, in particular through development of a Covenant or Kawenata;
and through marae-based recognition.
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With regard to a Kawenata she asked for advice on what form it could take; and what
recognition it could provide.
The Board reported in 2021. The report largely focused on a Kawenata and related matters.
It recommended that
a Kawenata should be agreed to in principle; and that it was desirable that it be a legislative
instrument.
the Board should be resourced to undertake further work to develop this, including
partnering with iwi, hapu and business; undertaking awareness raising and education;
clarifying scope, content and parties; and considering any budget implications;
appropriate agencies should be identified to develop a Budget bid to improve recognition of
service people and their whānau on marae (and in the wider community);
the Honours list should be reviewed to assess whether it adequately recognises service; and
the Board should be tasked to design a recognition card.
2022
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Looking at overseas Defence Covenants
This report was commissioned by Hon Meka Whaitiri. It is published on the Veterans’ Affairs
website.
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The Board provided a brief report in September 2022.
With regard to this and the previous report, the Minister advised the Board that she would
not be able to advance a Kawenata as Minister for Veterans, until she had obtained the
agreement of the Minister of Defence to take this forward jointly. This was because a
Kawenata was intended to be a broad document, including all who have ever served
(including still serving personnel) as well as those who are veterans under the VSA 2014.
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Information
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General comment
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Nonetheless, members were excellent
advocates for the veteran community; and have consistently sought to keep alive the
concept of recognition for those who have served, in particular, the potential value of a
Kawenata.
All of their reports (apart from the last one which is still under ministerial consideration) are
available to veterans and the general public through the Veterans’ Affairs website.
1982
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Information
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