More funding for veterans

Wellington: New Zealand veterans and their families are set to receive an additional $4.1 million over four years to support their wellbeing.

Veterans Minister Ron Mark said yesterday the funding would go towards health and wellbeing assessments to ensure veterans had ongoing support after leaving the Defence Force.

The minister also promised veterans would be contacted soon after they left the New Zealand Defence Force and connected to a health provider or support service if they needed it.

‘‘Contacting them and letting them know what they’re entitled to, then keeping an eye on them, and when they transition out of the Defence Force touching base with them again to make sure that they and their families know that VA is there for them.’’ — RNZ