KEY POINTS:
1963 - Prime Minister Keith Holyoake agrees to provide "non-combatant" troops under pressure from the US
1964 - In June, New Zealand sends 25 Army engineers to South Vietnam to build roads and bridges.
1965 - In May, Holyoake announces the Government will send fighting troops to Vietnam,
including 161 Battery.
1967 - In April, New Zealand sends the first New Zealand Services Medical Team to Vietnam
1967 - In July, a Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot was made available to the Royal Australian Air Force which operated Iroquois helicopters in Vietnam. Two more pilots were provided in the following year.
1968 - New Zealand reaches the peak number of troops fighting in Vietnam at any one time with 543
1969 - In January, New Zealand sends 26 Special Air Service (SAS) troops to Vietnam.
1969 - Labour Party leader Norman Kirk - then in opposition - makes an unequivocal commitment to withdraw troops if his party wins the election. National is re-elected.
1971 - In January, a military training team of 25 were sent to train Vietnamese soldiers. They were joined by a second team of 18 the following year.
In April, protesters disrupt a reception for Vietnam War veterans of 161 Battery who accused the soldiers of being murderers and threw red paint, symbolising Vietnamese blood. One protest march drew 35,000 people on to the streets. Many argued New Zealand should follow their own foreign policy and accused the Government of following the US into war.
In May, the SAS and 161 Battery leaves Vietnam.
1972, In December, New Zealand pulls the last of its militarily personnel out of Vietnam after the Labour Party wins the election. By the end of the war, 3400 New Zealanders had fought in Vietnam with casualty figures of 37 dead and 187 wounded.
1975 - The first reunion of New Zealand Vietnam veterans was held.
1978 - The Ex-Vietnam Service Association is formed with 1800 members including veterans and the families of veterans.
2003/2004 - Select Committee hearing. EVSA makes submissions on the effects of veterans' exposure to Agent Orange and other chemicals used in the Vietnam War by the US and its allies.
2005/2006 - A joint working group supported by the RSA and EVSA carried out consultation with veterans and their families throughout New Zealand.
2006 - In April, the group's findings were reported to the Government.
In December, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and veterans is signed.
Sources:
New Zealand History online: www.nzhistory.net.nz/
Ex-Veteran Services Association: www.evsa.org.nz
