Sarah McMillan/cvnznews.com
A leading veterans’ advocate is challenging all political parties to commit to an independent review of New Zealand’s veterans’ support system in the first year of the next Parliament, saying the current framework can no longer be patched and must be properly examined.
The NZ Veterans Advocate has released its 2026 Election Priorities paper, A Fair, Modern Veterans’ Support System, setting out three core commitments it wants parties to adopt. At the top of the list is a full, independent review of the Veterans’ Support Act 2014 and the way it is being applied.
Spokesperson Ross Himona, a veteran of Borneo and Vietnam and long‑standing advocate, said court decisions and frontline experience had exposed serious problems.
“We do not need another patch. We need an independent review of the whole veterans’ support system,” he said. “After more than a decade, and after court decisions have exposed serious problems in how the law has been interpreted, every political party should be prepared to ask one simple question: is this system still doing what Parliament intended and what veterans deserve?”
The proposed review would examine the Act, Veterans’ Affairs policy and administration, the Scheme One/Scheme Two divide, eligibility, access to support, modern service‑related health conditions, transition, whānau support, governance, review and appeal mechanisms, and community service delivery.
Himona was closely involved in supporting his friend, the late Tā Wira Gardiner, in the case that challenged Veterans’ Affairs’ interpretation of the Act. The High Court’s Gardiner decision confirmed the mandatory nature of key protections and highlighted areas where policy may have narrowed rights or departed from the Act’s benevolent intent.
The second election priority is a fair deal for those serving now. The group wants clear policies on pay, the Military Factor, housing and accommodation standards, superannuation, postings, family support, workforce retention and transition, noting that the Government’s $12 billion Defence Capability Plan ultimately depends on recruiting and retaining people.
“You can buy ships, aircraft, vehicles and technology, but none of it is capability until you have good people willing to serve, stay and operate it,” Himona said.
The third priority is military honours and recognition, including whether post‑1996 arrangements properly recognise distinguished military service and whether a distinct military division and tiered awards should be considered.
Himona stressed the campaign is non‑partisan.
“We are not asking veterans to support one party or another. We are asking every party the same questions and asking them to give clear answers before people vote. Those who serve do so on behalf of the country, not a political party. The obligation back to them should be just as enduring.”
