No Duff Charitable Trust

"New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) medical experts have told military personnel some of its explosives and weapons could cause them brain damage – but its own veteran support agency has not yet accepted the injury as a direct pathway for compensation claims." Why Isn’t VANZ Prepared to Support Affected Personnel? Recent warnings by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) have drawn attention to a serious issue: exposure to explosives during training and operational duties could cause brain injuries, yet there remains no direct pathway for affected personnel to seek support through Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand (VANZ). This gap is concerning, as the need for targeted resources and understanding is both urgent and overdue. Known injuries associated with repeated exposure to blast exposures include cognitive impairments, mood disturbances, and even long-term neurological conditions, reflecting what has been observed in militaries globally. While the NZDF's progress in this area, painfully slow though it has been, is commendable, the response from VANZ has been notably lacking. Over a year after the NZDF warning to it's personnel, there is still no streamlined pathway for claims specific to these kinds of brain injuries. The current system, rooted in administrative hurdles, means many veterans are struggling to receive timely assistance. As an example, NZ SAS Veteran Gregg "Pup" Johnson has been now waiting for almost 3 years for Veterans Affairs NZ to rule on his claim. This lack of preparation leaves veterans at risk of long-term complications and without a clear path to the support they need. What’s particularly troubling is that VANZ operates as an arm of the NZDF, which means their lack of response is essentially an internal failure. If VANZ is structurally and organizationally linked to the NZDF, why aren’t they better equipped to address emerging issues like blast-induced brain injury? Supporting veterans impacted by blast injuries is not only an ethical responsibility; it's a long-term investment in their health, well-being, and contributions to society post service. The failure to establish a straightforward claims pathway for blast-related brain injuries contradicts the NZDF’s statutory duty of care and responsibility to those who’ve put their health on the line for our society. The New Zealand government needs to act now to ensure that VANZ is equipped to serve those facing life-altering injuries as a direct result of their service. Ironic that as we approach this years Armistice Day, New Zealand's veteran support structure demonstrably remains the worst in the Western world. The old lie is no longer “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.” The old lie now is "He aha te mea nui? Māku e kii atu, he tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata". No Duff Charitable Trust Nos Adepto Fieri Stercore https://lnkd.in/gEaXCh55

Getting the New Zealand government to consistently incorporate veterans as a demographic to consider regarding specific mental health and wellbeing support is a work in progress. To put it mildly. This excerpt from our submission to the Ministry of Health draft Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2025-2029 is part of our latest effort to have a nominal level of veterans specific suicide prevention support formalised in New Zealand.

A timely reminder in light of recent public comments from supposed authorities on mental health support. Alcohol is a PROVEN problem for people with mental health issues. Fact, backed by validatable collected across hundreds of peer reviewed studies. Especially for those who come from a culture of excessive drinking, such as veterans of the NZ Defence Force. Alcohol is often used by veterans as a form of self medication, however it does not address the root cause of mental health issues. Instead it just exacerbates them. At No Duff, we know this for a fact based on our personal experiences and the almost 9 years of 'boots on the ground' direct peer support to hundreds and hundreds of veterans and the whānau in mental health crisis. On a related note, there are to many people operating in the mental health space in positions of authority, seemingly well meaning, who suffer from the Dunning–Kruger effect. A cognitive bias whereby people with limited knowledge or competence in a given intellectual or social domain greatly overestimate their own knowledge or competence in that domain relative to objective criteria or to the performance of their peers or of people in general. That is not helpful. It is harmful. No Duff Charitable Trust Nos Adepto Fieri Stercore

Honoring our New Zealand veterans with recognition initiatives is well-meaning, but gestures such as revising the Anzac Day Act are simply “low-hanging fruit” when stacked against the nominal level of sincere, practical support they require, but currently lack from the government. In 2017, a comprehensive review of the Veterans’ Support Act 2014 laid out specific, practical recommendations designed to close the many gaps in care and assistance for veterans. These recommendations offer a pathway to real, sustained support that would directly benefit the mental health, physical well-being, and long-term stability of those who have served our country. Yet, seven years later, at least half of the 64 essential fully are still waiting to be fully actioned. For veterans, acknowledgment of their service is one part of the equation, but what they really need is a commitment to the systems that support their well-being—access to tailored healthcare, effective mental health services, and structured pathways to a healthy transition back to civilian life. Too many have “fallen through the cracks,” as noted in recent coverage, and a simple recognition initiative cannot replace the robust safety net they deserve. As a community, we must call for more than symbolic, token gestures. We must urge the government to move beyond these surface-level actions and prioritize implementing the recommendations of the 2017 review. This is not only what our veterans have been promised but what they fundamentally deserve after their years of dedicated service. Let’s ensure our words and actions align by advocating for substantial, lasting improvements that actually reflect recognition for their service, in practical terms. On a side note, at the bottom of the article, big ups to the RNZRSA for "expecting" the Minister for veterans to give them more public funding, when just last year he RSA's national chairman Martyn Dunne publicly estimated that more than $100 million intended for veteran support and welfare had been lost through collapsing RSAs. "A bold strategy Cotton, we'll see if it pays off for them." No Duff Charitable Trust Nos Adepto Fieri Stercore https://lnkd.in/gqqxEMdg

Lance Corporal Jacinda Baker served with pride in the Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps and made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation on August 19, 2012, during her deployment in Afghanistan. She, like every other women in our military who deployed on operations, risked her life and made sacrifices no different than her male counterparts. But even today, female veterans face an unacceptable reality: misogyny. Comments and behaviors that belittle their service, question their capabilities, or diminish their contribution in any way are dishonourable, disrespectful, and completely out of line with the values our veteran community served to uphold. The threat doesn't discriminate. Why do we? Jacinda didn’t hesitate when called to serve in some of the most dangerous conditions imaginable. We should not hesitate to call out and shut down the misogyny directed at the women who serve and have served in uniform. Every veteran, regardless of gender, deserves to be honoured, respected, and remembered for their sacrifice. Women like Jacinda Baker are Wāhine Toa who stand the line, right beside the men, in the service of our nation. Their service and experiences deserve the same recognition and respect. To Jacinda, and all women who have served, risked and sacrificed: We remember, we honour, and we will never forget. No Duff Charitable Trust Nos Adepto Fieri Stercore #HonorTheirService #RespectWomenInUniform #VeteransMatter #JacindaBaker #NZVeterans #NoDuff #WāhineToa

The Ministry of Health is seeking submissions for its draft Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2025-2029, and it's crucial that New Zealand veterans participate. Here's why: 1. Unique experiences: As veterans, we've faced challenges that civilians may not fully understand. Our insights are invaluable in shaping effective suicide prevention strategies for our community. 2. Lack of veteran-specific support: Currently, New Zealand lacks dedicated suicide prevention programs for veterans. This is our chance to highlight this gap and advocate for tailored support. 3. High-risk group: Research shows veterans are at higher risk of suicide. Our input can help ensure the action plan addresses the specific needs of our veteran community. 4. Expertise on mental health challenges: Your firsthand knowledge of service-related mental health issues can inform more effective interventions and support systems. 5. Opportunity for change: This is a rare chance, once in 5 years, to directly influence national policy. Your feedback can lead to real improvements in veteran mental health services. 6. Strength in numbers: A strong showing from the veteran community will emphasize the urgency of addressing veteran suicide prevention. 7. Honoring fallen comrades: By contributing, you're helping to prevent future losses in our veteran community. The draft action plan is part of the "Every Life Matters – He Tapu te Oranga o ia Tangata: Suicide Prevention Strategy 2019–2029". Let's work together to ensure it includes robust measures for veteran suicide prevention. Don't miss this opportunity to make your voice heard and potentially save lives. Submit your feedback and help shape a better future for New Zealand's veterans. You can make your submission online at the following link. https://lnkd.in/gXY7yBJB No Duff Charitable Trust Nos Adepto Fieri Stercore

With sadness and pride we remember Lance Corporal Leon Smith 1 NZSAS Regiment KIA in Wardak, Afghanistan 28 September 2011 Who Dares Wins We Will Remember Them

Tomorrow, for the first time, New Zealand will conduct a national commemoration of service for Timor-Leste and the deployment of New Zealand Forces in Timor Leste on the 20th September 1999. The biggest NZDF deployment since the Malayan Emergency in the 50's, estimates of personnel involved from 1999 to 2012 when deployments ceased range from 5000 to 7500. The large discrepancy in numbers being due to the NZDF not keeping track of personnel involved. The initial INTERFET operations were traditional counter insurgency focused missions consisting of advances to contact, ambushes and patrols, with numerous contacts, with the Rifle Sections being issued 2 first line of ammunition to include HE Frag grenades and 40mm HEDP rounds, M72 SRAAW and M18A1 Claymore mines. As security was gained the operations eventually transitioned to peace support, then "peace keeping". The National commemoration of service in Timor-Leste will be held at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul. This is an event to honour all New Zealanders who served in Timor-Leste and to remember those who tragically lost their lives while on deployment. Members of the public are invite to attend the national commemoration for peace-support operations in Timor-Leste. If you are attending please arrive at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul by 10.45am to be seated before 11am. We'll be there. RV: Wellington Cathedral of St Paul 2 Hill Street Thorndon Wellington The commemoration will be livestreamed on the Pukeahu Facebook page from 11am www.facebook.com/pukeahu/ No Duff Charitable Trust Nos Adepto Fieri Stercore

Time once again to remind remind people of our organisations philosophy regarding the criteria for who is a veteran in New Zealand. We are the only veterans support organisation in New Zealand that treats all veterans equally and also won't charge you, even via 'membership', for the services and programs we provide. It's been our philosophy from the start, and will never change. No Duff Charitable Trust Nos Adepto Fieri Stercore

As August draws to a close, we look back on a month that is a solemn time for New Zealand's contemporary veterans community. This past month has been a time of profound reflection, as we remembered the losses sustained in Afghanistan in 2011 and 2012. As a community, we've checked on mates, provided support when required, and quietly honoured those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Yet, as we reflect on these past weeks, we're reminded of how the darkest times can spark the brightest flames of hope. The experiences of those challenging years directly led to the establishment of the No Duff Charitable Trust. Throughout this month, as in every month, No Duff has continued its vital work, supporting veterans and their whānau who might otherwise have fallen through the large cracks of New Zealand's existing veteran support system. This August, we've reflected on the powerful examples of post-traumatic growth within our community. Throughout the last 9 years, we've witnessed firsthand the increasing understanding of our veterans, their experiences, and their unique support needs. The conversations we've had this month have further highlighted that contemporary veterans are an integral part of our society with a growing foot print of recognition. As August ends, we carry forward not just the memory of sacrifices made, but also the momentum of positive change. The increased awareness and ongoing efforts to support our veterans don't end with the month – they're a commitment we carry forward into the future. To all our veterans and their whānau: Your scrifices have been remembered. Your service has been honoured. And your health and wellbeing remains at the forefront of our mission. As we move into September, know that the support and recognition will continue. Kia kaha. No Duff Charitable Trust Nos Adepto Fieri Stercore #NZVeterans #AugustReflections #PostTraumaticGrowth #OngoingSupport #NosAdeptoFieriStercore #NoDuffCharitableTrust