Cross recipient Willie Apiata features in new NZDF video to launch veterans' mental health initiative 'Coming Home'. Video / The Bakery Collective
Veterans’ group says politicians bask in spotlight on Anzac Day - then do nothing.
Veterans urged to “boycott Anzac Day” commemorations which politicians attend.
Veterans’ Minister Chris Penk says announcement imminent on who can be called a veteran.
It’s time to boycott Anzac Day services where politicians attend - that’s the call from veterans’ welfare group No Duff.
It says politicians have spent too many years allowing veterans’ issues to languish while earning political and public kudos for being seen at dawn parades and civic ceremonies on April 25.
“If we don’t turn up to your speeches to hear your empty words, maybe you’ll take us more seriously than you currently are,” said No Duff co-founder Aaron Wood.
“There has been constant blocking of progress on veterans’ issues by officials, including elected officials. These same people turn up on Anzac Day, give speeches and speak to the media - and then nothing happens.”
The issue is seen as divisive in the veterans’ community because only those who have served on particular operational deployments can use the term and seek support from Veterans Affairs NZ.
Whakatāne RSA Padre Raharuhi Koia provides a prayer as Warrant Officer Willie Apiata bestows his Victoria Cross medal on Minister for Veterans Chris Penk. Photo / Diane McCarthy
Wood said this was one of a number of issues that should have been resolved including:
Veterans Affairs NZ again challenging in the High Court the finding in the Tā Wira Gardiner claim which was believed to have allowed many more veterans’ claims to be accepted;
Poor data on veterans including no information showing veteran suicides and no records on the actual number of veterans;
Recommendations from a 2018 review of the Veteran Support Act which were shelved even though they were not completed;
A decision to delay an overdue review of the act.
No Duff has told its supporters: “Anzac Day is sacred. It’s a day to honour the fallen, remember their sacrifice, and stand in solidarity with those who served.
“But this Anzac Day, New Zealand’s veterans should consider sending a powerful message to the Government: No more empty words. No more broken promises. No more apathy and indifference.”
Wood said the call to boycott commemorations sounded “extreme” but years had gone by during which basic and common sense steps had not been taken by successive governments.
He said veterans should organise different ways to commemorate Anzac Day so they could “march with fellow veterans, not politicians”.
“Wear your medals proudly, but refuse to participate in official ceremonies.”
Wood said he planned to climb a hill on the outskirts of Wellington with fellow veterans and remember those who had fallen and those who served as the sun rose before a return trek and a breakfast barbecue.
Penk told the Herald he would soon make an announcement about how “veteran” was defined as the issue was “very much on my mind”.
No Duff co-founder Aaron Wood.
He said he and political colleagues - including a number who had served - would attend Anzac Day commemorations “to honour the New Zealanders who live and work in loyal service to our nation”.
Penk said he was “deeply committed to driving meaningful change for the wellbeing of our former service people”.
“Anzac Day is a day for our veterans. It’s the one day each year when the country pauses, together, to say ‘thank you.’
“It’s a time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and to acknowledge and stand beside those who are still with us. I sincerely hope to see our veterans in attendance - so they can honour their peers and feel the nation’s enduring gratitude for their service.”
David Fisher is based in Northland and has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years, winning multiple journalism awards including being twice named Reporter of the Year and being selected as one of a small number of Wolfson Press Fellows to Wolfson College, Cambridge. He joined the Herald in 2004.
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