NZ apologises to Vietnam veterans

Ms Clark said the troops' loyal service had not been acknowledged

New Zealand has formally apologised to its Vietnam War veterans for the treatment that they received when they returned home.

In a statement to parliament, Prime Minister Helen Clark thanked the soldiers for their "dedicated service" during the war.

She said their efforts had not been adequately recognised, not had support been offered to them on their return.

About 3,500 New Zealand troops served in Vietnam between 1964 and 1972.

Thirty-seven soldiers were killed and 187 were injured.

But the deployment was unpopular and the soldiers were withdrawn when a new Labour government took office in 1972.

Ms Clark said that the troops' "loyal service in the name of New Zealand was not recognised as it should have been, when it should have been".

She apologised for the "inadequate support extended to them and their families after their return home from the conflict".

The veterans were never formally welcomed home with parades, because of public opposition to the war.

They also suffered medical complaints linked to exposure to chemicals such as Agent Orange - something that the government failed to acknowledge for years.

The apology comes at the start of a week of events to mark New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam War.