22 February 2012
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and the University of Otago will today enter into a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) to allow both organisations to work together to better support military veterans.
The Memorandum of Understanding will be signed by Vice Chief of Defence Force Rear Admiral Jack Steer and Deputy
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago Professor Richard Blaikie. It will enable the participants to undertake
collaborative research into the health and care needs of veterans, serving personnel and their families.
Rear Admiral Steer said the Memorandum of Understanding paves the way for NZDF to work with the University of Otago on
issues that are important to the Defence Force. We will use the opportunity to make progress towards better
understanding the needs of all military personnel who have served overseas.
“The University of Otago has a good deal of research expertise in the field of veterans’ health. Its research will allow
us to access a wide range of data that can be used to understand what we can do to provide better support to military
veterans and their families.
“With 377 NZDF personnel currently deployed across 12 countries around the world, this issue is extremely relevant It is
important for us to support our personnel as best we can on their return from operations. Any research that can help us
determine the support they need and the best way to provide it, is extremely valuable for us”, Rear Admiral Steer said.
The Memorandum of Understanding will also allow NZDF and the University of Otago to work together on security, peace and
conflict studies, international relations and research.
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ENDS