A veteran living in Whanganui is furious at Veteran Affairs for stopping his mowing and gardening service without any explanation given.
Vietnam veteran David Hiroti was eligible for lawn mowing and gardening services from the Whanganui franchise of Crewcut, who were contracted by Veteran Affairs.
Mr Hiroti's medical condition means he is unable to do the tasks himself. The original contract was fortnightly.
However since October 2015, when the contractor was changed, the service has been downgraded.
Mr Hiroti said he never received any gardening from Crewcut and his lawn mowing service was very irregular.
"Before Crewcut cut our lawns, we had a local guy doing it who was amazing. But then in 2015 the government decided to employ a national franchise to provide a nationwide service to veterans, I assume to cut costs, but Crewcut's service has never been satisfactory and now we are paying the price," he said.
The service has now stopped.
Prior to the contract changing to Crewcut, Mr Hiroti said he was happy with the service managed by Veterans Affairs.
Mr Hiroti said he did not know why the service had been stopped.
Veteran Affairs team leader case management Tracy Mayall said, in a letter addressed to Mr Hiroti dated March 27, Crewcut had been unable to locate any other providers within the area to assist with the service so Veteran Affairs will no longer be able to fund the service.
"I encourage you to apply to the Ministry of Social Development....and test your eligibility with them to assist you with your lawns and garden maintenance."
Mr Hiroti said he did not feel comfortable going to Work and Income (WINZ) to ask for benefit support in Whanganui when there were already a high number of people more needing of welfare support.
"You've got to understand WINZ has a budget, just like Veteran Affairs, and I'm a veteran, not a free-loader."
Veteran Affairs are yet to comment to the media about Mr Hiroti's case.
Crewcut declined to comment on the situation.