These regulations, which come into force on 1 April 2019, amend the Veterans’ Support Regulations 2014 (the principal regulations).

Regulation 42 of the principal regulations prescribes the rates of veteran’s pension payable under Part 6 of the Veterans’ Support Act 2014 (the Act).

Section 170 of the Act provides for the rates of veteran’s pension to be reviewed before 1 April every year and, if the review concludes that any of the rates require an increase under that section, to be increased as at 1 April. Regulation 4(1) to (5) amends regulation 42 of the principal regulations to adjust the rates of veteran’s pension payable in accordance with section 170 of the Act.

Regulation 4(6) to (10) amends regulation 42 of the principal regulations to make a discretionary increase to the rates of veteran’s pension in order to implement the Government’s commitment to ensure that the net married couple rate of New Zealand superannuation and the relationship rate of the veteran’s pension are set at a minimum of 66% of the net average wage. (The rates that are amended are the gross rates, but the increase has been calculated in relation to the net rate in each case. Other rates of veteran’s pension are increased consequentially in order to maintain the proportional relationship of rates.)

Regulation 5 relates to an entitlement under the War Pensions Act 1954 that has continued to be paid under Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Veterans’ Support Act 2014. The amount of the entitlement, payable to recipients of certain awards relating to gallantry, is adjusted. The adjustment increases the amount of the entitlement by 1.69%, which reflects the increase in the New Zealand Consumers Price Index (All Groups), excluding cigarettes and other tobacco products, between the December 2017 quarter and the December 2018 quarter.