Veterans

Click here to return to the policy homepage.

• Not available on their website yet.

• Ensure that veterans who have served in conflict and emergencies receive adequate, fair and appropriate support, including income support and treatment and compensation for injuries, psychological and emotional health problems and occupational diseases acquired as a result of their service.
• Ensure that the NZDF can provide for any eventuality arising from service. (Such as death allowances for partners, family and descendents, and ongoing health provision including those arising from exposure to toxins and DU radiation). (more here)

• We are committed through an amendment to the Veterans’ Support Bill, or failing that, through Labour policy, to follow the Law Commission’s recommendation and the Royal New Zealand RSA’s submission that all veterans who are entitled to Superannuation and have served in an overseas deployment where they were at risk, become eligible for a Veterans’ Pension.
• This policy will ensure that in 2014 16,737 Veterans would receive the Veterans’ Pension instead of 3,200.
• Veterans deserve to be recognised for their service and being eligible for the Veterans’ Pension is a significant part of this.
• The cost of this policy will be just over $11million in 2014/15 declining to $8.4million in 2017/18.
• These costs will continue to decline and will not rise again for several decades when veterans who have served in Bosnia, Timor Leste, Solomon Islands and Afghanistan reach retirement age. (more here)

• Not available on their website yet.

• Not available on their website yet.

• Maintain the Veteran’s Pension and Superannuation at 66 per cent of the average wage, meaning payments increase faster than inflation over time.
• Continue to work with our Turkish and Australian counterparts for the Gallipoli 2015 centenary commemorations.
• Fund veterans to attend major commemorative milestones associated with their service overseas.
• Put in place a significant commemorative programme to mark the 50^th anniversary of New Zealand’s contribution to the Vietnam War.
• Increase the travel grant from $2000 to $2500 to help veterans with the cost of attending a commemoration associated with their service. (more here)

• Ensure Veterans’ pensions maintain relativity PLUS an additional 10% in recognition of their sacrifice.
• Implement with due speed the recommendations in the Law Commission's’ review of the War Pensions Act.
• Increase the radiation related health conditions listed on the Veteran’s Affairs Presumptive List, to include all cancers.
• Support claims by veterans and their children who have been affected by Agent Orange, nuclear testing and such issues.
• Support the completion of the National War Memorial Park in Wellington, to be a place which properly recognises the service and sacrifices of our veterans. (more here)

• Not available on their website yet.