Cabinet has agreed to a proposal that will improve provision of services to veterans and increase efficiency.
- From 1 July 2008, War Disablement Pensions policy and service delivery will be the responsibility of Veterans Affairs New Zealand (VANZ) only, not split with the Ministry of Social Development.
- This decision recognises the Chief of Defence Force's responsibility to veterans throughout their lifetime.
- VANZ will continue to sit within the New Zealand Defence Force and will lose its semi-autonomous status.
- Two reviews of the current arrangements found that there were inefficiencies in the delivery of War Disablement Pensions.
- Whilst staff in both organisations work professionally to give as good a service as possible, the whole system is being re-engineered so that one agency is responsible for policy and practice.
- Veterans will be able to deal directly with one organisation for all enquires about entitlements and services. This is a significant change which will improve outcomes and support for veterans.
- You will have a single 0800 number to contact rather than two. The time taken to process War Disablement Pensions will reduce.
- Throughout the review of VANZ, veterans' groups such as the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association have been fully consulted.
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