11. Question No. 11—VeteransDAN ROSEWARNE (Labour) to the Minister for VeteransQuestion No. 11—Veterans11. DAN ROSEWARNE (Labour) to the Minister for Veterans: What recognition and support is the Government giving to veterans as we look towards ANZAC Day?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance) on behalf of the Minister for Veterans: Benefit adjustments that came into effect on 1 April saw more than 5300 people on a veterans pension and their whānau increase their pension by over $100 for a couple per fortnight and nearly $70 for individuals. Veterans' Affairs who have more than 20000 clients also pay out entitlements of $118 million each year mostly for those who have service-related conditions some of whom require rehabilitation and support because they cannot work.Dan Rosewarne: What does Government do through Veterans' Affairs to support the independence of our veterans?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Veterans' Affairs also runs a veterans independence programme which provides a range of services on a needs basis to help veterans stay independent in their own homes. More than 6500 individuals receive more than 163000 individual services each year including lawnmowing and gardening assistance with housework and other services which I know are greatly appreciated by the veterans concerned.Dan Rosewarne: How does the Government support the commemoration of our veterans' service?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Veterans' Affairs manages a commemorative fund and in the current year has paid out tens of thousands of dollars in contributions to a variety of projects. This includes some memorial projects that will be unveiled on or around Anzac Day 2023 including the stand for a memorial gun in Ruatōria plaques to commemorate service and recent deployments on a memorial archway in South Taranaki and in support of the Remembrance Army with a project that will add 228 names of New Plymouth Boys' High School servicemen to the memorial gates at the school. In addition almost $140000 has been paid out in the current year in contributions to support veterans to travel back to where they were deployed or for reunions with those they served with.Dan Rosewarne: What is the Government doing to support the commemoration of Anzac Day in Gallipoli?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On 23 April the New Zealand Defence Force Gallipoli contingent will deliver a ceremony of rededication and remembrance at what is known as the Zealand Māori Pā site at the No 1 Outpost in Gallipoli. This ceremony will mark the installation of a plaque in Māori Turkish and English commemorating the service of the New Zealand Maori Contingent at Gallipoli in 1915 and the call to action of the chaplain Captain Hēnare Te Wainohu Kia māia kia toa"—be brave be bold—before our brave soldiers advanced up Chunuk Bair. The plaque signage and access track have been developed in partnership with Māori the Turkish Government and the Turkish Gallipoli historical site directorate and we are very appreciative of their support. I am sure the whole House would join with me in thanking all of our veterans including the member who asked the question today Dan Rosewarne for the service that they have given—and indeed all active soldiers—and to our fallen men and women as we get closer to Anzac Day we will remember them lest we forget."