8. Question No. 8—VeteransIBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister for VeteransQuestion No. 8—Veterans8. IBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister for Veterans: What recent policy framework announcement has been made in support of New Zealand veterans affected by mental health and wellbeing issues?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI (Minister for Veterans): I'm very pleased to announce to the House that last night Veterans' Affairs launched the Veteran Family and Whānau Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy Framework—Te Arataki mō te Hauora Ngākau mō ngā Mōrehu a Tū me ō rātou Whānau. The policy framework examines the mental health and wellbeing of Aotearoa New Zealand's veterans and I congratulate the round table that developed this valuable resource. This document synthesises health and defence evidence and expert knowledge and experiences and identifies what needs to be done to advance the mental health and wellbeing of veterans and their whānau and family. The 2018 He Ara Oranga report on the Government's inquiry into mental health and addiction identified New Zealand veterans as being a vulnerable group. However a framework was never developed to address our veterans' needs. In 2021 Veterans' Affairs began the process bringing together key defence and health organisations veteran advocacy groups health practitioners and veterans to focus on the mental health and wellbeing of veterans and their families. We acknowledge there are mental health problems for our veterans and we wanted to look at the evidence and identify what New Zealand can do to improve support for the mental health and wellbeing of our veterans and their whānau.Ibrahim Omer: What does this mean for veterans and their whānau?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI: This policy framework has been developed with six effective responses for veterans and their whānau: (1) first focus on the prevention and wellbeing promotion; (2) streamline cross-agency responses; (3) increase health provider awareness and education; (4) maintain military connections; (5) meet the needs of the whole family and whānau not just the veteran; and (6) support diversity and cultural needs. This resource will help the more than 140000 veterans of which a small number will face significant problems resulting from their service: mental health and/or addiction issues social withdrawal poverty homelessness violence and suicide. This policy framework will allow Veterans' Affairs the Ministry of Health ACC Corrections the Ministry of Social Development and others to coordinate their response to meet the needs of the veteran and their families.DEPUTY SPEAKER: That was far too long that answer.Ibrahim Omer: Who is this policy framework for?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI: We encourage a wide range of organisations I've listed to utilise this resource. Our veterans do face those personal challenges during their service and the transition to civilian life can be complex compared to life in the service. Most veterans will experience good mental health and make a successful and safe transition; a small number will not. This resource recognises veterans and their families understands their shared and individually unique experiences and supports them to maintain and build their mental health and wellbeing.