The NZ Forces Return
Once the Labour government had come into power in New Zealand, one of its first acts was withdrawing all of the remaining NZ troops from Vietnam. Although much of the population and those who had been in Vietnam all this time, were more than ecstatic to be returning home, they were faced with a nation that had been bitterly divided over their actions. The veterans were even ignored by the Returned Services Association (RSA) upon their initial arrival back into New Zealand.
When Auckland Council officials organised a formal reception on May 12th 1971 to mark the return of the 161 Battery RNZA and four Troop NZSAS, anti-war protesters staged a demonstration that disrupted proceedings. As the march reached a reviewing platform erected outside the Auckland Town Hall, protesters threw red paint bombs and firecrackers onto the road and several protesters covered in red paint ran out from the crowd and onto the road where they sat in an attempt to block the parade route. The protesters only cause a momentary disruption before they were removed by police.
When Auckland Council officials organised a formal reception on May 12th 1971 to mark the return of the 161 Battery RNZA and four Troop NZSAS, anti-war protesters staged a demonstration that disrupted proceedings. As the march reached a reviewing platform erected outside the Auckland Town Hall, protesters threw red paint bombs and firecrackers onto the road and several protesters covered in red paint ran out from the crowd and onto the road where they sat in an attempt to block the parade route. The protesters only cause a momentary disruption before they were removed by police.
It was not until 2008, thirty-six years later, that the Vietnam Veterans were given an official welcome home ceremony.
Vietnam veterans participate in an honour march in Wellington during the Tribute '08 gathering on May 31st 2008.
~NZPA Images, photograph by Tim Hales.
~NZPA Images, photograph by Tim Hales.
Long Awaited Apology
Before the Tribute '08 March to Parliament, Prime Minister Helen Clark apologised to the returned veterans on behalf of the government in Parliament for the way in which they were treated upon their return home from the war in Vietnam. Those who protested the war during the 60s and 70s welcomed the Government's apology to the veterans and even Invercargill Meyer and former activist, Tim Shadbolt said that the apology would help to "heal the wounds".