No Duff calls for urgent overhaul to support New Zealand veterans and whānau

Advocates for New Zealand’s military veterans are calling for an urgent overhaul of the support systems designed to assist personnel transitioning back into civilian life. According to a report by Waatea News on 25 September 2026, Aaron Wood, a former soldier with 24 years of service and co-founder of the No Duff Charitable Trust, is renewing calls for fundamental reform to address gaps in recognition and welfare for those who have served. Established in 2017, No Duff provides free crisis and welfare support to veterans and their whānau. The organisation was created to bridge gaps in existing services and has responded to more than 1,000 crisis calls, including referrals from government agencies. Wood highlights that despite a significant 2017 review of the Veterans’ Support Act—which resulted in 64 recommendations—many former service personnel feel that New Zealand’s support structures still lag behind other Western nations. A central point of the ongoing debate is the eligibility criteria for assistance. Currently, access to health, rehabilitation, and financial support through Veterans’ Affairs often requires a specific statutory definition or a condition directly linked to qualifying service. Wood argues this leaves significant gaps for those needing mental health support or those navigating the immediate transition out of the New Zealand Defence Force. Progress is being made at the government level, with Veterans Minister Chris Penk announcing in July that an additional 1,300 veterans would have their service recognised for access to deployment-related support. However, for advocates like Wood, the goal remains a system where no person who has served Aotearoa is left to face trauma or financial hardship without comprehensive assistance. No Duff continues to advocate for a system that proactively identifies and responds to the needs of all former personnel and their families.