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Willie Apiata appointed Special Representative to NZDF

New Zealand’s only living recipient of the Victoria Cross, Willie Apiata, has been appointed a Special Representative to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and promoted to Honorary Warrant Officer...

Gerard Wood | From military nurse to veteran advocate

Veterans who have been to our forums and expos will probably have met Gerard Wood (Ret Lt Col) in the Veterans' Affairs team — a larger-than-life character brimming with good humour, lots of...

Pacific voyage a life changing experience for veteran

When Wayne Matthews’ case manager from Veterans’ Affairs told him of a sponsored sailing trip he seized the opportunity to step out of his own comfort zone. The sponsored trip aboard...

Bill Russell: From stamps to signaller and back again

From beginning his career with NZ Post to initiating a veteran stamp series, and from installing a radio system for the NZ Army and then joining up, Bill Russell’s life is one of crossing paths of...

From Head of Veterans' Affairs—Annual Medical Assessment for Viet Nam veterans

In recognition of the fact that Viet Nam veterans were exposed to a toxic environment during their service in Viet Nam, the Government made the decision to introduce a free yearly medical assessment...

Survivors’ Reunion held at Motuihe Island

More than 100 “Survivors of the Rock” reunited on Motuihe Island in February and once again, the matelots climbed the island’s notorious hill to what was the site of HMNZS TAMAKI for 22 years....

Kāhui St David's: A Place of Gathering for Music and Remembrance

"At Kāhui St David’s, everyone is welcome. Whatever religion, non-religion, cultural background, ethnicity and however you identify, please feel at home here” — Paul Baragwanath, Director of Kāhui St...

What does a Decisions Officer do?

Hayden O'Brien Team Leader, Decisions Hayden O'Brien is a Decision Team Leader leading seven Decisions Officers. During his time at Veterans' Affairs, he has made more than 4,000 decisions. But what...

Second World War veteran, 102, recounts service with pride ahead of his battalion’s historic recognition

It’s been nearly 80 years since the end of the Second World War and 102-year-old Doug Reid still wears his 27 (Machine Gun) Battalion tie with pride. Mr Reid may be the last surviving member of the...

Commonwealth and allied country plaque and headstone funding

Background As of 1 July 2016, we ceased our previous practice of funding plaques and headstones for Commonwealth and Allied veterans. This includes funding remakes of plaques and headstones to add...