In the last 16 years, the number of military veterans has grown to 20,000 – most of whom have no idea what their service to the country is worth in terms of ongoing benefits and aid.

A rare forum is being held at the Tauranga RSA on Tuesday to inform veterans or serving personnel, about the support they can obtain from veterans affairs and the RSA.

Left is a 'Veteran' having options explained to her by Mark Compain who is Support Service Manager RNZRSA. Ray Terrill, right, is the regional veterans support services manager.

'I'm expecting about 200 people,” says regional veterans support services manager Ray Terrill.

'There was one done in Taradale in September last year. We're doing one here on Tuesday and that will be the last.

'They won't be doing any more because of financial constraints.”

It will be an open forum where the general manager of Veterans Affairs will be explaining veterans' entitlements.

After lunch, the veterans attending will be able to have one-on-one meetings with either a case manager or the men from Wellington.

'We can organise support for them in lawn mowing, gardening, pensions, hearing aids, you name it,” says Ray.

There are about 31,000 veterans in total and they are aged from 19 to more than 100-years-old.

They include retired people, those in civilian life, and serving personnel says Ray.