In accordance with section 9 of the Veterans’ Support Act 2014 (“the Act”), I hereby give the following notice.

Notice

1. I declare service:
• on Malden Island between 15 May 1957 and 25 June 1957 (inclusive) to be operational service for the purposes of the Act;
• on Christmas Island between 8 November 1957 and 16 November 1957 (inclusive) to be operational service for the purposes of the Act;
• on Christmas Island between 28 April 1958 and 24 September 1958 (inclusive) to be operational service for the purposes of the Act;
• within 281 kilometres of surface zero at Malden Island on 15 May 1957, 31 May 1957 and 19 June 1957 to be operational service for the purposes of the Act; and
• within 281 kilometres of surface zero at Christmas Island on 8 November 1957, 28 April 1958, 22 August 1958, 2 September 1958, 11 September 1958 and 23 September 1958 to be operational service for the purposes of the Act.
2. For the purposes of this declaration “surface zero” is the location where a nuclear weapon was detonated.
3. This declaration covers:
• members of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) serving with the NZDF;
• members of the NZDF on secondment with the armed forces of other nations; and
• any person seconded to the NZDF with the permission of the Chief of Defence Force.
4. The persons covered by this declaration shall have access to the entitlements and services specified in the Act and the Veterans’ Support Regulations 2014.
5. I am satisfied that there was a significant risk of harm to those that undertook this service, as required by the Act.

Dated this 17th day of December 2015.

Hon CRAIG FOSS, Minister of Veterans’ Affairs.