Veterans' Affairs New Zealand | #4, 2013

VANZ News

A message from the Minister

Commemorations

INSIDE

News Zealand

Veterans get a hero’s welcome Second World War Service, including Bomber Command and Arctic Service Case Management in the Community Programme

News from the VANZ Medical desk

It was a privilege for me to lead the official New Zealand delegation of 84 veterans to the 70th Anniversary of the War in the Pacific commemorations earlier this year in Noumea. The commemoration honoured all those who served in the War in the Pacific. It was extremely fitting that the commemorations were held on Anzac Day, a time when we all reflect on the sacrifices and loses suffered by so many, and the impact it had on those left behind. The national commemoration will be conducted in Wellington on 6 November 2013 for those veterans who were not able to travel to Noumea.

I have also had the honour just recently of leading a delegation of 29 veterans to the Republic of Korea to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Signing of the Korean War Armistice. Again, it was a time to celebrate the service and commemorate the sacrifice of so many New Zealanders. All our veterans, past and present, display the qualities that all of us as New Zealanders aspire to –courage, humility, humanity, compassion - and the willingness to stand and fight for what we believe in to defend the way of life we all currently enjoy.

These commemorative activities are greatly supported by both VANZ and NZDF and I would like to thank them for the efforts they put in to ensuring all our veterans are well supported and cared for throughout each commemorative journey.

The VANZ Team

I recently visited with VANZ staff located in both Wellington and Hamilton. The visits were an insight into the high tempo of work achieved by all staff across a number of different areas. One thing was obvious; that is the dedication by all VANZ staff to providing the best service possible to our veteran community.

In the 12 months ended June 2013, VANZ staff conducted 25 Case Management in the Community (CMIC) events which resulted in invitations being sent to some 2757 veterans, inviting them to attend. As a result, 637 veterans attended group meetings and another 414 veterans had one-on-one meetings with the case management team. The CMIC programme enables VANZ staff to head out into the community to meet veterans and to ensure they are fully aware of the services and supports that are available to them through VANZ. A regular schedule of visits has been established and I encourage you to take note of the dates of these CMIC activities which are detailed in this edition of VANZ News. If you are able to attend, I invite you to get along to an activity in your area.

The VANZ Team is responsible not only for the on-going maintenance and development of our 183 Services Cemeteries throughout New Zealand but for the manufacture and installation of ex-service memorials (plaques and headstones). In the 12 months ending 30 June 2013, 1754 orders had been received. 1630 ex-service memorials were manufactured and installed with the remaining 124 in progress.

Rewrite of War Pensions Act

The team also continues to work on the Government’s response to the Law Commission’s Review of the War Pensions Act 1954, and whilst good progress continues to be made, additional resources have been added to ensure VANZ has all the support it needs for this important piece of legislation to be introduced to the House for first reading by the end of this year.

The Veterans’ Affairs Portfolio remains a special one for me and I remain committed to hearing your views and meeting as many of you as possible in coming months.

All our veterans, past and present, display the qualities that all of us as New Zealanders aspire to – courage, humility, humanity, compassion...

N EW Z EA l AND VE t E r ANS g E t A h E ro’ S WE l C o ME

Twenty-nine veterans of the Korean War were treated like heroes when they returned to Korea for the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice.

Korean dignitaries and locals took every opportunity to thank the visiting veterans who represented every person who took part in the war between 1950 and 1953.

New Zealand maintained a significant presence in Korea until 1957.

Prime Minister the Right Honourable John Key summed it up at the memorial service in Busan when he said, ‘Freedom cannot be taken for granted and sometimes must be fought for.”

The veterans attended several ceremonies including a New Zealand and Australian commemorative service in blistering heat in Kapyong which remembered the fallen from both countries. Wreaths were laid by Pat Hickey, Joe Lusty, Charles Purcell and Jack Allen and New Zealand Korean War Veterans’ Association scholarships were presented to local school children.

The second poignant service was at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan on July 28, where 34 New Zealanders are buried.

Approximately 4700 personnel served in Kayforce, and a further 1300 served on RNZN frigates. Forty-five men lost their lives and 79 were wounded. One member of Kayforce was taken prisoner and held in North Korea for 18 months.

The veterans also got to visit the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) at Panmunjom and get a glimpse of North Korea over the shoulders of South Korean soldiers standing in readiness stances.

John Zeigler said it was a thought provoking moment to be that close the people they had come to fight so many years ago.

“It’s been a long time and I must say I never thought I would get back here but now I am it’s a very special moment. To see how far the Koreans have come in 60 years is quite incredible. They have worked really hard at rebuilding their country. I’m proud to have been able to be a part of that.”

The veterans were guests of honour at the New Zealand Prime Minister’s reception and at a thank you banquet hosted by the Korean government.

“We have been treated like royalty everywhere,” said Pat Hickey. Minister of Veterans’ Affairs the Hon Michael Woodhouse travelled with the veterans for several days and said he was extremely proud to have been part of the contingent.

The delegation travelled to the Republic of Korea by Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Boeing 757. All international travel, accommodation, on-ground transport, and medical costs for veterans were funded by Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand.

S EC o ND Worl D WA r SE rVICE, INC lu DINg Bo MBE r Co MMAND AND Ar C t IC SE rVICE – INC lu DINg th E ‘ru SSIAN Co NVoyS’

After the Second World War servicemen and women were invited to apply for the medals for which they were eligible. Many did not do so at the time, and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) still receives medal applications from former Service personnel today.

Two new awards were announced by the United Kingdom in 2013: The Arctic Star and the Bomber Command clasp. The formal approvals have now been signed off and all New Zealand citizens who qualify may wear the Bomber Command Clasp and Arctic Star medal now. NZDF is now accepting applications for these awards from all Second World War veterans (and the families of deceased veterans) who served as part of the New Zealand Armed Services contribution to the war effort. NZDF Archives hold the records for all NZ service personnel from the Second World War.

The records for all British service personnel are held in the UK, so the application needs to be made there (www.veterans-uk.info/arctic_star_index.htm). Note that

the MOD UK advise that living veterans and widows will be treated equally as first priority, with applications from families to follow shortly after. The NZDF Medals office will follow the same priority with applications received. Application forms can be downloaded at: http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/info/forms.html.

Application for any medal or award needs to be made on an official NZDF Medals Office application form. The forms need to be printed and signed and are not designed to be submitted by email.

Application forms need to be mailed to:

NZDF Medals Office, Private Bag 905, UPPER HUTT 5140, New Zealand.

If you do not have a printer or cannot download the pdf file, you can order a paper copy of the form by calling the NZDF Medals office on 64 (04) 4 527 5270 or by sending an email message to medals@nzdf.mil.nz

C ASE M ANAg EMENt IN th E Co MM uNI ty Progr AMME

The Case Management in the Community (CMIC) programme commenced in September 2009, when the first group meeting was held at the Mount Maunganui RSA. Since that time, CMIC events have been delivered to most cities and towns in New Zealand, either through a group meeting or more recently, individual meetings have been offered to veterans. All the case managers participate in the events and look forward to meeting with veterans in their communities. Veteran feedback via the VANZ Survey also confirms those who have been able to attend an event, have found the experience a good one and enjoyed the interaction with a case manager. Future CMIC events are being planned for later this year and include:

• August - Whakatane (including Opotiki and Te Puke); Fielding

• September - Hawera and Waitara; Nelson and Richmond

• October - Whangarei; Wellington South and Seatoun

• November - Coromandel and Thames; Hokitika

• December - Auckland South; Oamaru and Timaru

Have you moved or are about to move?

If so, please do not forget to let VANZ know your new contact details so we can keep all your details up to date.

Please call us on Freephone 0800 483 8372 if in New Zealand; 64 4 495 2070 if calling from overseas; or email us at veterans@xtra.co.nz to advise of any changes.

N EWS fro M th E VANZ M EDICA l D ESK

hearing

Unfortunately for many veterans, hearing loss is a legacy of your operational service. In March 2013, VANZ introduced a new fee structure for hearing. This came with some adjustments to the way hearing is processed.

VANZ no longer requires a veteran to have an annual review of their hearing. If a veteran is having difficulty with his/ her hearing aids, they can contact an audiologist. The audiologist will book the veteran a fault finding appointment. At this appointment, the audiologist will look over the hearing aid/s, replace any faulty part and clean the aids. If necessary, the aid/s will be sent to the manufacturer

for any repairs the audiologist can not do on site. If the audiologist requires a veteran to undergo a hearing test, they will contact the VANZ Hearing Adviser for approval. Fault finding on the hearing aids must have already been conducted. All hearing aids must be insured.

As at 1 June 2013, VANZ no longer automatically replaces lost or damaged hearing aids. Should anyone lose or damage their hearing aid they must first approach their insurance company for replacement.

Key Points to remember

• Do not sign the Individual Care Plan if you are not happy with the hearing aid/s

• Trial the aid/s recommended by the audiologist

Ex P r ESSI o NS of I Nt E r ESt 70th A NNIVE r SA r IES of th E B Attl E of Mo Nt E C ASSINo AND D-DAy lANDINg S - 2014

The 70th anniversary of Battle of Cassino will be held in Italy in mid-May 2014. The commemoration of this battle will be the representative Second World War commemoration for all New Zealanders who served in Italy. In order to be eligible to attend the commemoration, veterans must have been members of the New Zealand Armed Forces at the time of their service, and have qualified for the Italy Star.

The 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in France is on 6 June 2014. The commemoration of these landings will be the representative commemoration for all New Zealanders who served in Western Europe in the Second World War, regardless of whether they were involved in the D-Day landings. In order to be eligible to attend the commemorations, veterans must have been a member of the New Zealand Armed Forces at the time of their service, and served on land, in the air over, or in the waters adjacent to Western Europe and have qualifying service for the award of either the 39-45 Star, France and Germany Star, the Air Crew Europe Star or the Atlantic Star.

Under the Government policy for major Second World War commemorations, veterans are only eligible to attend one overseas major commemoration of their service. As such, veterans who attended the Bomber Command and El Alamein commemorations in 2012, and the War in the Pacific commemoration earlier this year, are not eligible to attend either of these overseas commemorations in 2014.

If you would like to register your interest, please contact:

Aaron Hanley

Adviser Commemorations

Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand PO Box 5146

WELLINGTON 6145

Freephone: 0800 483 8372

Email: veterans@xtra.co.nz

Expressions of Interest must be received by 30 September 2013.

• Use the hearing aid/s in various situations to get used to them

• Hearings aids are not a cure for hearing loss; they are an aid

• Insure your aid/s as VANZ may not replace lost or broken aids

• VANZ will not pay for excess insurance

• Contact us if you have questions or need assistance on Freephone 0800 483 8372

Prevention is always better than cure. For current serving personnel protect your hearing wherever possible - this includes when using weapons, lawn mowers, chainsaws, machinery, and… iPods!

Keeping in touch with Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand

Please tell us as soon as you

• Change your address

• Change your bank account

• Change your marital status

• Plan to go overseas to live

• Move to a rest home or hospital

• Have someone come to live with you

In the sad event of your death

• your family or the executor of your estate needs to tell us as soon as you pass away

• your partner or family may have some entitlements in respect of

• a funeral grant

• a ex-services memorial plaque or headstone for your grave in a public or private cemetery

• you may be receiving help that needs to be cancelled or reassessed

• your pension will be paid until the date of your death. If it is not stopped immediately after your death it can quickly build up a debt that your estate will have to repay

We suggest you leave this note with your Will or personal papers so the person looking after your affairs knows to get in touch with us.