Listen Now: 
The families of soldiers who left these shores half a century ago gathered at Whenuapai Air base this morning for the return of their remains.
The 27 service personnel and one infant died during the Malaysian Emergency or the Vietnam War and their bodies were buried in Malaysia and Singapore because of a policy between 19565 and 1971 that families had to pay repatriation costs.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Minister for Veterans Ron Mark say they were honoured to be with the families as they welcomed their loved ones home.
She says those repatriated today gave their lives serving for our nation, but due to a policy applied in an inconsistent and unfair way over many decades, were not returned home.
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