Veterans' Affairs New Zealand

Functions and responsibilities

The work of Veterans' Affairs New Zealand (VANZ) covers four main areas: the provision of policy advice on, and administration of, a wide range of issues relating to veterans' entitlements, care and recognition; the coordination of commemorative activities; the management of the government's relationship with veterans and their representative organisations; and the provision of ex-service memorials and maintenance of 178 Services Cemeteries.

Structure

Veterans' Affairs New Zealand is a semi-autonomous body within the New Zealand Defence Force. Veterans' Affairs New Zealand is headed by a Director, who is also the Secretary for War Pensions, a statutory position responsible for the administration of the War Pensions Act 1954.

War Pensions

The War Pensions area undertakes the development of policy for the administration of the War Pensions Act 1954, the assessment of claims for War Pensions and Veterans Pensions and the review of decisions made by the War Pensions Claims Panels.

Case management

The case management service is responsible for the case management of individual veterans and their families. Case managers act as brokers, connecting veterans and their families to appropriate services and supports within the veteran's community to ensure personal independence and best quality of life.

Memorials and Services Cemeteries

The Memorials and Services Cemeteries area administer and process applications for ex-service memorial plaques and headstones for eligible veterans and their spouses, and manage the contracts for the manufacture and installation of the plaques and headstones. In addition, each of the 178 Services Cemeteries is inspected and contracts for capital works and maintenance let and managed.

Policy

The policy area provides policy advice on issues relating to veterans' entitlements, care and recognition and supports the coordination of commemorative activities.

Office Management

The Office Management area provides administrative support to the staff of Veterans' Affairs New Zealand and management of the budget.

Statutory appointments and committees

The War Pensions Act 1954 requires that a Secretary for War Pensions be appointed. The Secretary is appointed by the Chief of Defence Force and is a member of the civil staff of the New Zealand Defence Force. The Secretary is responsible for the administration of the War Pensions Act 1954. The Act requires the Secretary to maintain sufficient numbers of War Pensions Claims Panels to assess claims for war disablement pensions. Each panel is made up of a representative of the Royal New Zealand Returned Services' Association and a representative of Veterans' Affairs New Zealand. The Act also allows for the Secretary to appoint a National Review Officer to review decisions of the War Pensions Claims Panels.

The War Pensions Act 1954 also makes provision for the establishment of a War Pensions Advisory Board and War Pensions Appeal Board. The War Pensions Advisory Board consists of the Secretary for War Pensions, the National President of the Royal New Zealand Returned Services' Association and a medical member appointed by the Minister of Veterans' Affairs. The War Pensions Appeal Board consists of not more than four members who are appointed by the Minister of Veterans' Affairs. Two members of the Appeal Board must be registered medical practitioners, one of whom is a representative of the Forces and nominated by the Royal New Zealand Returned Services' Association.

Contact

All enquiries regarding the services and support offered by Veterans' Affairs New Zealand can be made to: