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Commemorative Travel Contribution

Commemorative Travel Contribution

A Commemorative Travel Contribution can be used to fund travel to commemorate your Qualifying Operational Service. This could be either internationally or within New Zealand.

Who can get this

You may be able to get this if:

  • you have Qualifying Operational Service, and
  • you have not already used your full Commemorative Travel Contribution allocation.

The contribution must be used to either:

  • attend a commemoration that is related to your Qualifying Operational Service — this can be in either New Zealand or an international event outside of New Zealand, or
  • revisit your place of Qualifying Operational Service

Qualifying Operational Service explained

What you can get

You may apply for up to a NZD$2,500 contribution.

The amount must be based on actual costs related to your trip. Costs can include:

  • travel such as flights, rail, bus, or ferries
  • transfers
  • travel insurance
  • accommodation.

The contribution cannot cover food, entertainment, or other costs.

Repeat claims

You cannot receive more than your full Commemorative Travel Contribution allocation. This is:

  • NZD$2,500, or
  • NZD$2,000 if you received it before 1 July 2016. This was the maximum that could be claimed at the time. 

If you have not received your full allocation, you can apply for the remaining balance.

Travel concession

If you are eligible for a Travel Concession Payment, you cannot use a Commemorative Travel Contribution to pay for travel to attend a domestic commemoration within New Zealand.

Travel Concession Payment

You can apply for a contribution towards accommodation costs in New Zealand. This may be for a maximum of 2 nights.

How to apply

  • Step 1 Complete the form

    To apply for a Commemorative Travel Contribution, you need to complete our application form.

    Download the Commemorative Travel Contribution application form

  • Step 2 Provide supporting evidence

    The type of evidence you need to supply depends on whether you are applying:

    • before your trip, or
    • after your trip.

    If you are applying before your trip

    If you apply before your trip you will need to provide evidence that you have a financial commitment to the trip. 

    This could include showing that you have:

    • paid for all of the trip
    • paid for a significant portion of the trip
    • made a deposit.

    You will also need to provide evidence of your destination. This could include destination-specific itineraries, or airline ticket receipts.

    If you are applying after your trip

    If you apply after your trip, you will need to provide evidence of your costs. This could include receipts, tickets, or invoices.

  • Step 3 Submit your application

    Send the application form and any supporting information to us. You can do this by post or email.

    We aim to process complete applications within 10 working days.

What happens next

After you apply we will:

  1. contact you to confirm we've received your application
  2. start the decision-making process
  3. tell you once we have made a decision. We will do this either by email or in writing.

If we need more information, we will get in touch with you.

Find out more

Contact us for more information

We strive to be transparent. If you want to know how this entitlement is administered you can read the policy.

Commemorative Fund policy [PDF, 335 KB]