Families of New Zealand military personnel buried overseas in Singapore and Malaysia will be offered the opportunity to repatriate their loved ones, the Government has announced.
Veterans' Affairs Minister David Bennett said the decision comes as a result of recommendations by the Veterans' Advisory Board and the advocacy of the RSA and affected families.
"Following the efforts by families to have their loved ones brought home, the Government last year asked the Veterans' Advisory Board to look into New Zealand's repatriation policy.
"The board identified a number of inconsistencies.''
"New Zealand had an inconsistent policy of repatriation between 1955 and 1971.
"Families could opt to meet repatriation costs themselves, but not all could afford to do so. Other civil servants were also repatriated.
"We want to restore fairness for those families affected.''
The New Zealand Defence Force would also consider extending the offer to the families of New Zealanders interred as a result of a military burial between 1955 and 1971.
This occurred in American Samoa, Australia, Fiji, Korea, and the United Kingdom, and all countries involved have been contacted.
The Defence Force will oversee the process.
