One-off payments of $40,000 are made to Vietnam veterans if they are suffering a prescribed condition related to Agent Orange.
The partner of a veteran who has died as a result of a prescribed condition receives $25,000, $30,000 is paid to each child who suffers from any of five accepted conditions, and $30,000 goes to each family who has lost a child to one of five accepted conditions. Over 50 payments have been made.
The Vietnam Veterans and Their Families Trust has been established with a Crown endowment of $7 million for 30 years. The trust and has made a number of grants. Forms are at www.evsa.org.nz.
The Queen has approved a New Zealand medal for Vietnam service and the dates for the 1 RNZIR South Vietnam Theatre Honour will be changed to recognise the service of all rifle companies.
The Crown has made a one-off grant of $250,000 to The EVSA – Neville Wallace Memorial – Children’s and Grandchildren’s Trust, www.evsayouthtrust.org.nz.
The Crown is to access, monitor and to sponsor research into the inter-generational effects of dioxins.
The Crown has established a national register for Vietnam veterans, their partners, children and grandchildren to facilitate access to entitlements.
Forms are available from www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz or phone 0800 483 8372.
The Culture and Heritage Ministry has begun recording oral history of the accounts and experiences of veterans and their families. Veterans Affairs will make available to medical professionals and to veterans and their children relevant information to help monitor and screen for health conditions.
Veterans will be funded for a one-off medical examination and any specialist visits required.
Veterans of all conflicts and deployments will be eligible for a veterans’ card and their children, a children’s card.
RETURN TO the Main Page