Minister's end of year message

Chris Penk | Minister for Veterans

As we approach Christmas and the summer break, many of us will be taking time to rest, to reconnect with family, and to look back on the year that has been. For our veteran community, the Christmas season often brings an opportunity for reflection and gratitude. Whether you are spending the holidays at home, at the beach, or with your local veterans' group, I hope it is a time of peace and good company.

This year has seen real progress in recognising and honouring those who have served New Zealand. A major step has been the development of the Veteran Recognition Bill, which will extend the symbolic use of the term "veteran" to all former New Zealand Defence Force personnel who have received medallic recognition. The Veterans' Support Act already gives "veteran" a specific legal meaning and remains important for determining eligibility for certain entitlements.

However, many who have served with dedication have felt their contribution is not fully acknowledged because the term cannot legally be used to describe them. The Bill also includes a covenant, modelled along the lines of various overseas' equivalents, which the community indicated several years ago it wished to see in law.

Alongside the new Bill, the Government will establish a National Day of Tribute, marked each year with a Veterans' Service Awards ceremony celebrating those who continue to serve their communities and uphold the values of military life.

Work has also continued on the Anzac Day Bill. The Anzac Day Act ensures that we honour those who served, but because it does not recognise conflicts after 1966, many New Zealanders who have served with courage in the decades since are not formally included in Anzac Day commemorations. Updating the legislation will bring the law in line with the way New Zealanders have long observed Anzac Day, ensuring that all who have served are acknowledged.

I'm pleased to note that the additional funding provided to VA, $1 million a year over four years, is already helping reduce the backlog of claims awaiting consideration. By November, the number of pending claims had fallen to just over 2,000, down from nearly 3,000 in April 2024. This is encouraging progress, and I look forward to seeing the backlog shrink even further in the year ahead.

Meanwhile, as we have more time to ourselves over summer, I encourage any veteran who has not yet made a claim to contact Veterans' Affairs. Whether it is assistance with health and wellbeing, financial support, or connecting with other ex-Defence Force personnel, these services exist to make a real difference in your life. Reaching out is simple, and the team at Veterans' Affairs is ready to guide you through the process.

Thank you all for your service, and for the camaraderie and support you continue to show one another in the veteran community. I wish you and your families a happy Christmas and every good thing for 2026.