The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has confirmed it will not reduce health funding for veterans, following findings from the Military Veterans Waitangi Tribunal Claim.
After testimonies from 109 claimants were published, Lieutenant Colonel Martin Dransfield emphasized the NZDF’s commitment to addressing the health needs of all veterans.
“[We are] very proud of the young men and women who deployed on operations but came with some issues—whether physical, but mainly in the hinengaro space. So there is no way we are going to cut costs in terms of our health support,” says Dransfield.
He highlighted the importance of the claimants’ stories, particularly those of Māori veterans, in ensuring the Crown provides necessary care.
