VAB Report: Recognition of service people through burial and memorialisation

In April 2023, the then Minister for Veterans asked the Veterans Advisory Board (Board) to provide advice on the principles that should underpin how New Zealand recognises military veterans through the burial and associated memorialisation arrangements.

Current arrangements remain a relic of their time

Current arrangements for recognising service at the time of a veteran's burial largely evolved in an ad hoc way following the First World War. The rules that developed around service cemeteries after the two World Wars were largely based on the experience of a significant deployment of troops. They were developed at a time when British customs and standards had a strong influence in New Zealand. They were also influenced by the simple standardised and respectful format that applied for military cemeteries in Europe.

The purpose of this report is for the Board to consider and provide advice on the principles governing burial and memorialisation of veterans, in the context of the views, options, and limitations that exist today. This will help to ensure that future developments are guided by a generally agreed set of principles that are fit for the present time and for the future.

The Board undertook a range of engagement to better understand stakeholder views. The Board heard that the current framework is fragmented, ambiguous and unclear. There are ongoing challenges and barriers for service people, their spouses or partners, and whānau, which include:

• ambiguity around eligibility for recognition and burial of service people in the current legislative framework
• the lack of available information for families
• the continued uncertainty around the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders
• the gaps in resourcing and coordination of maintenance and upkeep of memorials and graves.

Drawing on the engagement the Board undertook and the feedback from stakeholders, we are of the view that there are four guiding principles for the burial and memorialisation of service people that should be applied in the New Zealand context:

• Consistency and certainty / Tikanga - clear and well understood rules and framework.
• Dignity / Mana - respect and recognition of service on an ongoing basis.
• Equality and diversity / Ōritetanga - equality for all service people.
• Inclusiveness / Kāwanatanga - culturally and religiously inclusive, meaningful participation, decision making and leadership for service people.

The Board believes that if these principles are applied to future policy and legislative work programmes, there will be better and more appropriate recognition of service people through burials and memorialisation in New Zealand. It will also result in the rules and process being fit for purpose, reflecting current societal norms and expectations.

Read the full report: Recognition of service people through burial and memorialisation[PDF, 594 KB]

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