Questions and Answers
- What is changing?
- From 1 July, 2008, responsibility for the administration of War Disablement and Surviving Spouse pensions will rest with Veterans Affairs New Zealand (VANZ). In addition, VANZ will cease to be a semi-autonomous body, and become an operational unit of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).
- Is anything changing to the way the Veterans Pension is administered?
- No. The administration of Veterans Pensions is staying with the Ministry of Social Development and a new number for contacting this group will be announced prior to 1 July 2008. In the meantime, veterans can still contact the War Pension Services or Veterans' Affairs New Zealand in regards to these services.
- Why have these changes come about?
- The change is being driven by the goal of improving the services and support delivered to veterans. The two agency model of delivering services to veterans was inefficient. This change will make one agency responsible for the delivery of all services.
- How will things improve for veterans?
- From 1 July 2008 veterans will gain a single point of contact for all enquires about entitlements and services – making access to assistance simpler and more efficient. Improved efficiency and clearer lines of responsibility will also enable improvements to be made in the time taken to process War Disablement Pensions.
- Will anything else be changing?
- Yes, when announcing these changes Veterans Affairs Minister Rick Barker signalled that Veterans Affairs New Zealand will be broadening its role in brokering services for veterans and case managing their claims for any state assistance.
- Have these changes come out of the blue?
- No. The Government signalled its intent to improve services for veterans when it ordered a review into the delivery of War Disablement Pensions. Throughout the review veterans' groups such as the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association were fully consulted.
- Why is VANZ becoming an operational unit of NZDF?
- VANZ currently sits within the New Zealand Defence Force, the change here is that it will lose its semi-autonomous status. This will improve the lines of accountability and better recognises the lifetime responsibility of the Chief of Defence Force to veterans.
- If veterans have any questions, who can they contact?
- Veterans with questions or concerns about the process can contact War Pension Services or their Veterans' Affairs New Zealand Case Manager in the usual way.
This page was last reviewed
20 April, 2011
and is current.