This page is about a bill. That means that it's not the law yet, but some people want it to be the law. It could change quickly, and some of the information is just a draft.

Veterans’ Recognition Bill

Recognition of veterans

8: Confirmation of veteran status

You could also call this:

"Who can officially call themselves a veteran"

Illustration for Veterans’ Recognition Bill

If a bill to recognise veterans becomes law, people described as veterans in the bill will be officially known as veterans. You can call yourself a veteran if you are one of these people. The bill says that people who are described as veterans can refer to themselves as veterans.

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This page was last updated on 17 August 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1467997.

Topics:

Government and voting > Government departments

7: Crown acknowledgement and recognition of veterans, or

"The Government says thank you to veterans for their military service."

9: Covenant established, or

"A special promise to help veterans is created and explained in the Schedule."

Part 2Recognition of veterans

8Confirmation of veteran status

The persons described as veterans in this Act are to be known as veterans and may refer to themselves as veterans.