The families of 85 Cook Islanders who served in the local military but missed out on their medals due to being discharged prior to the end of the Second World War, are now able to apply for these medals.

The Cook Islands Local Defence Force (CILDF) was formed in April 1941 to provide for the local defence of the islands. It was demobilised and reverted to a Territorial Force in 1943.

Most of the 85 individuals are eligible for the War Medal 1939-1945 and the New Zealand War Service Medal.  Individuals who served for 18 months or more are also eligible for the Defence Medal.  Those who enlisted after the Force reverted to a Territorial Force in 1943 are eligible for the New Zealand War Service Medal.

While more than half the CILDF personnel were issued with medals in the early 1950s, others did not receive their medals as they were deemed ineligible for being discharged from service prior to the end of the war, often for minor disciplinary infractions.

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) started looking into the situation at the request of the team of voluntary researchers at the Cook Islands Online Cenotaph.

NZDF Heritage, Commemorations and Protocol Director John McLeod said that after comparing how the CILDF medals were issued with the process used for the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF) servicemen, the NZDF supported issuing the medals to these veterans or their next of kin.

“In contrast, we are aware of several 2NZEF servicemen who were convicted of similar offenses or worse crimes.  These individuals were not discharged and still claimed their medals,” Mr McLeod said.

In modern times family members of New Zealand servicemen have also continued to receive medals regardless of offences that may have justified dismissal and forfeiture at the time.

“We are pleased that veterans or their families can now apply for their medals. This will help put right a situation that has persisted since the end of the War,” Mr McLeod said.

With the help of researchers Cate Walker and Bobby Nicholas, the NZDF has identified at least 85 members of the CILDF who are eligible for Second World War medals.

The NZDF is inviting any potentially surviving CILDF members who did not receive medals, or their family, to email their name to NZDF.PAM@nzdf.mil.nz to receive the application form.

Only one of each medal will be issued and family members are required to agree amongst themselves who will apply for and receive any unclaimed medals. Documentation will need to be provided, and a declaration form should be completed by the person who believes they have the best legal claim.

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand expresses deep concern regarding the UN Security Council’s vote on the United States–backed resolution endorsing President Trump’s proposed “Gaza Plan.” While framed as a pathway toward stability, the resolution in its current form poses significant risks to Palestinian sovereignty, self-determination, and long-term justice.

Despite global recognition of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, this resolution fails to address core political realities and instead reinforces structures that have historically undermined Palestinian rights.

1. Foreign Control Over Gaza’s Future

The proposed international “stabilisation force” and the external governance body, termed the “Board of Peace,” effectively place Gaza under foreign administration. Such an arrangement sidelines Palestinian leadership, weakens national institutions, and risks entrenching a system where Palestinians have limited control over their own land and political destiny.

This approach repeats the mistakes of past interventions that imposed solutions rather than empowering the people most affected.

November 18, 2025 – Borrowers are in the box seat to secure better loan deals amid signs of improving credit conditions yet many will still be paying more than they should, according to the Finance and Mortgage Advisers Association of New Zealand (FAMNZ).

FAMNZ managing director Peter White AM said the encouraging credit outlook revealed in credit bureau Centrix’s October Credit Indicator was good reason for borrowers to scale up their ambition.

According to the report, new residential mortgage lending climbed 21.1 per cent year-on-year, with total new household lending up 20.2 per cent.

“Smart borrowers can leverage falling interest rates to help them get a better deal on their loan, provided they have the right plan,” he said.

However Mr White also warned borrowers not to fall into the “loyalty tax” trap, which sees lenders offer new customers lower rates than existing customers.

“Existing borrowers shouldn’t be penalised for years of loyalty by lenders who reward new customers with sweetheart details never offered to them.”

He said that with increased competition in the home loan and personal loan markets, borrowers may be in a stronger position than they realise to secure a better deal.

His advice was to, “regularly review your home loan and personal borrowings and contact your current lender to seek a better rate – and if they don’t deliver, see a mortgage adviser.”

“Don’t just accept what your bank tells you, as mortgage advisers have access to a far wider range of products best suited to your circumstances.”

“There is plenty of competition, and while banks can only sell you their products, a mortgage adviser can tailor a product suited to your unique circumstances.”

The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa is delighted to announce that Fleur Beale is the NZSA 2026 President of Honour, who will deliver the prestigious NZSA Janet Frame Memorial Lecture in 2026.

This prestigious honour is bestowed on a senior writer and long-serving NZSA member in recognition of their contribution to writing, writers and the literary arts sector in Aotearoa.

Fleur Beale ONZM has written over 50 books and readers for children and young adults plus one non-fiction book for adults. Her books have been shortlisted 13 times for the NZ Childrens and Young Adults Book Awards. She won the NZCYP Young Adult category award in 2011 for Fierce September, which also won the LIANZA Esther Glenn Award. Her book Juno of Taris also won the LIANZA Esther Glenn Award. She has received 16 Storylines Notable Book Awards, and twice won the Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for A Much Loved Book for Slide the Corner and  I am not Esther. She has had many stories broadcast on Radio New Zealand for both children and adults.

Fleur was awarded the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal in 2012, and an ONZM for services to literature in 2015, and is the current patron of the Dorothy Neale White Children’s Book Collection at the National Library of New Zealand.

She is a manuscript assessor and a member of the Association of Manuscript Assessors NZ, she has given many workshops on writing to young people and adults, judged many writing competitions and has worked as a mentor. For several years she taught creative writing at night classes and took a workshop on assessment for students at the excellent Whitireia publishing course until cuts kicked in, and the admin stopped employing guest lecturers.

It matters deeply to Fleur that NZ young people have books that resonate with their lives and experiences which is why she started writing books set in our country and with text reflecting the way we speak.

On receiving the President of Honour title, Fleur Beale said “I am quite overwhelmed by the honour. The Society of Authors has been such an important part of my life, it’s so reassuring for a writer working away in what feels like the dark to know the Society has our backs and is there to throw light on tricky matters and support us.

I feel that my appointment is an opportunity to spotlight the importance of writing for children who are, of course, the future readers of books for adults. We need to have a solid cohort of keen readers growing up to advocate for and support NZ writing and publishing.”

NZSA President Dr Vanda Symon says “ “We are delighted to have Fleur Beale as our 2026 NZSA President of Honour. We admire her dediation to childrens' literature and the importance of telling New Zealand stories as the building blocks of literacy and creating life-long readers.”
 
The NZSA President of Honour delivers the prestigious annual NZSA Janet Frame Memorial Lecture – an event that comments on the literary sector.
NZSA will announce details of this event in 2026.

The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa PEN NZ Inc is the principal organisation representing writers in Aotearoa. Founded in 1934, it administers prizes and awards and runs professional development programmes for writers. The NZSA works across the sector to make NZ writers and NZ books more visible and upholds principles of fair reward and creative rights.