Calls for definition of ‘veteran’ to be widened
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The definition of ‘‘veteran’’ is just one of the barriers impacting on returned soldiers seeking help, a RSA representative says.
Rangiora RSA interim president Malcolm Wallace said confusion around the definition of veteran and changes to technology made it difficult for members to navigate the system.
Representatives of the Rangiora, Amberley, Kaiapoi and Papanui RSAs met with Veterans’ Affairs Minister Chris Penk in Rangiora recently to discuss their concerns.
Wallace said members were often facing a long wait to get a claim recognised by Veterans’ Affairs, with some waiting for two years or more.
A veteran is a soldier who has served overseas on a official deployment.
But Wallace is aware of several soldiers who served overseas and suffered injuries or medical issues, but are not covered.
One former soldier the Rangiora RSA has been working with served 20 years and developed a medical condition while serving in the South Pacific, but it was not an official deployment.
An ex-soldier speaking at the meeting said he injured his arm while working in an advisory role with the New Zealand Defence Force in the Middle East, but was not covered.
‘‘If you have a regimental number and you put on the uniform, then you can be ordered to go anywhere, so it shouldn’t matter what you end up doing,’’ Wallace said.
It meant some people get lost in the system, he said.
‘‘Veterans’ Affairs tells them they need to apply through ACC, but when they go to ACC they’re told to apply through Veterans’ Affairs.
‘‘It is important to recognise, our people are looking for a hand-up, not a hand-out.’’
Veterans have certain entitlements if approved by Veterans' Affairs, including for injuries and the Veterans' Pension.
The online system used by Veterans’ Affairs was ‘‘designed for much younger people’’, while communications through social media meant many were excluded, Wallace said.
Penk, a veteran who served with both the New Zealand and Australian navies, said the Government is reviewing the definition of a veteran.
‘‘People feel their service is not respected, so we are looking at that.’’
He said the Government has committed more resource to Veterans’ Affairs in a bid to get through a backlog of claims.
‘‘It has been a long standing issue and cases have built up over time, as the system’s not responding to the modern age.
‘‘We are caught between paper-based system and an online system.
‘‘We can be more effective with online applications, but we recognise that’s not going to work for everyone.’’
Penk said Veterans’ Affairs is making more of effort to work alongside community organisations, such as RSAs.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Canterbury towns feel forgotten in bus review
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury community fears it will lose its bus service under a review of the regional public transport plan.
Woodend-Sefton Community Board chairperson Shona Powell says her board warned Environment Canterbury (ECan) in 2019 the revised 97 Pegasus to Rangiora route was ‘‘set up to fail’’.
Now she fears the route could be axed altogether in the new Canterbury Regional Public Transport Plan.
‘‘It is a bitter disappointment."
An ECan spokesperson says the route is not under review at present, but it will likely be looked at in the future.
Powell said the board felt when they did the last review, they set up 97 to fail with the shortening of the route.
‘‘It misses out large areas, so people have to walk 20 minutes to catch the bus and it only runs every hour.
‘‘For a short trip to Rangiora, you’re going to take the car if you’re able to, but we want to encourage people to use public transport.’’
Powell said Woodend, Pegasus and Ravenswood are experiencing rapid growth and need to be better served with public transport.
The 95 bus route links Pegasus, Woodend and Ravenswood residents with Kaiapoi and Christchurch.
But Powell said instead of persevering with the 97 route, the board has consistently advocated for a circular route, similar to the Orbiter bus service in Christchurch.
It could link Woodend, Pegasus and Ravenswood with Rangiora and Kaiapoi and their suburbs and travel in both directions, she said.
‘‘From a practical point of view the idea of a circular route using two buses is much more useful to a much higher number of residents and lets them travel easily to where they want to go,’’ Powell said.
‘‘For now, Silverstream and Sovereign Palm residents in Kaiapoi have to travel to central Kaiapoi first if they want to use public transport to get to Rangiora.’’
The service could be extended to include Waikuku, Cust, Tuahiwi, Amberley and the beach settlements, and it could be similar to the on-call MyWay bus service in Timaru.
The board would also like to see the park and ride direct commuter service available to Rangiora and Kaiapoi residents extended to Woodend.
ECan public transport strategy and planning manager Sonia Pollard said the Pegasus to Rangiora service is not under review at present.
‘‘But NZTA (NZ Transport Agency) has requested we investigate low performing routes, so it is likely this route will be reviewed in the future.’’
A Waimakariri circular route is not under consideration as the partner councils have agreed to focus on developing a Greater Christchurch public transport futures strategy, she said.
Additional funding would be required from NZTA and local ratepayers and there is also limited funding for public transport in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Fund.
But staff will be assessing new routes as part of the 2025-26 annual plan, she said.
The next on-demand service trial is likely to be within the Greater Christchurch urban zone, but no decisions have been made.
ECan received nearly 800 submissions in its draft Canterbury Regional Public Transport Plan consultation.
Hearings begin next week, with deliberations scheduled for next month.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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0% Yes
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0% No
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0% Other - I'll share below
A twist on tradition
Whether it’s a table setting, for the tree or a shelf display, use Resene FX Metallics to create your own modern Christmas decor. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
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