Damage sorted at services cemetery
Veterans’ Affairs has had a busy year upgrading services cemeteries, and one to benefit has beenWaipawa Services Cemetery.
Threedamagedberms in the cemetery have been replaced, at a cost of $3726.
Themoneywaspart of morethan $650,000 Veterans’ Affairs spent overall this year on memorials and maintenance work in cemeteries whereNew Zealand service people are interred. Workincluded installation of nearly700new headstones and plaques for veterans, their spouses or partners throughoutNew Zealand.
More than $480,000 has been paid from the Veterans’ Affairs memorial fund towards headstones and plaques for veterans with qualifying service. Afurther $170,000 from its capital works fund went on constructingnew berms, installingnewseating, and re-fixing or replacing damagedheadstones.
Someof the work has been significant, such as replacing 44 terrazzo headstones in Wairarapa. Other projects have been smaller, such as repairing Waipawa’sdamaged berms.
Veterans’ Affairs is funded to support local authorities to maintain the 183 services cemeteries, where areas are set aside for the burial of veterans with qualifying service and their spouses or partners.
Deputy head of Veterans’ Affairs Marti Eller said services cemeteries offered a greatway for communities to engage with their history: “At Veterans’ Affairswehonour service and it’s a privilege to be able tomakethis particular contribution to communities throughout the country.
“Caring for services cemeteries is amassive undertaking. The workwedo would not be possible without the support of local councils, the RoyalNewZealand Returned and Services’ Association, and community groups like theNZ RemembranceArmy.
“These cemeteries are often gathering places on AnzacDay and Armistice Day, so fixing small things like berms can makethe world of difference to the families andwha¯nau whocometo pay respects . . . It’s awaywecan play a part in helping communities remember their veterans.”