Minister for Veterans Chris Penk was in town last Tuesday, consoling members of Nelson, Richmond, and Motueka RSA in support-seeking difficulty.
It was the inaugural visit by a minister responsible for issues relating to veterans to Stoke RSA, and Chris left the building with specific cases to settle, battles those who served were in with Veterans’ Affairs, from support delays, claims they’re entitled to, and “paperwork wars”.
“It’s something I take very seriously when people tell me that there are issues that they’re facing accessing their entitlements,” Chris says.
“There are broader issues as well in terms of how the system can best respond to their needs… and the government’s got a legal and also a moral obligation to look after them well from the day that they no longer wear uniform.
“Sitting in Parliament in Wellington, or, for that matter, Auckland, where I’m an MP based up there, you miss the insights from a place like Nelson, which has got so much to offer.
“I’m really thankful for the people here sharing that with me.”
Stoke RSA president Barry Pont says the meeting was positive. “I think he’s definitely taken [the issues] to heart, and he’ll follow it through,” he says.
Chris, chaperoned by National Party representative for Nelson, Blair Cameron, also met with Nelson Pine Industries under his building and construction portfolio and the Nelson Regional Development Agency during his sojourn.
