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Veterans’ Recognition Bill

Schedule : Covenant

You could also call this:

"A promise to respect and thank people who served in the New Zealand Defence Force"

Illustration for Veterans’ Recognition Bill

The New Zealand Government is making a promise to people who have served in the New Zealand Defence Force. You will be treated with respect and dignity if you have served in the Defence Force and qualified for a medal. The Government wants to thank and acknowledge the sacrifices you made while serving.

The Government knows that serving in the Defence Force can be dangerous and requires giving up some freedoms. You and your family may have faced challenges because of your service. The Government wants to recognise your service and the sacrifices you made. They want to celebrate your contributions to New Zealand and welcome you back into the community.

The Government is making this promise to show that they value and respect you. They acknowledge the unique nature of military service and the sacrifices you made to defend New Zealand. If you have served in the Defence Force and qualified for a medal, the Government will treat you with respect and dignity, and recognise your personal sacrifices and experiences.

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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=LMS1468003.

Topics:

Government and voting > Government departmentsRights and equality > Anti-discrimination

9: Covenant established, or

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

Covenant Empowered by s 9

An enduring covenant between

His Majesty’s Government of New Zealand on behalf of the Crown and the people of New Zealand

and

All those who have served in the New Zealand Defence Force whose service qualified them to receive a medal, and their families

The defence of New Zealand is a fundamental duty of the New Zealand Government.

Those who serve in the New Zealand Defence Force fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger, and sometimes suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Defence Force.

In return, we express through this covenant our acknowledgement and recognition of the military service of former members of the New Zealand Defence Force, and their families.

We respect and thank all who have served in the New Zealand Defence Force whose service qualified them to receive a medal, and their families. We acknowledge the unique nature of military service and the sacrifice demanded of all who commit to defending our nation.

For those who have served in the New Zealand Defence Force, whether in the regular forces or the territorial forces, whose service qualified them to receive a medal, and their families, we will—

treat them with the respect and dignity that preserves and enhances their mana:
recognise them by acknowledging their personal sacrifices and the experiences their service entailed:
celebrate them by preserving their memory and deeds and by welcoming, embracing, and supporting them as respected and valued members of our community.

This is the Crown’s acknowledgement of those who have served in the New Zealand Defence Force who qualified to receive a medal, and of their families. The Crown, on behalf of the people of New Zealand, recognises their mana and standing and their sacrifices and service for our country.