The War p ensions Boards, which had been responsible for the decision-making 1.5 on pension claims, and which had led some of the initiatives that resulted in law reform of the decision-making process, were eventually abolished and replaced by War pensions Claims panels in 1988. The War pensions appeal Board was introduced at an early stage in war pensions history, to try and make the decision-making process more robust. The recent changes to the decision-making and administrative structures have 1.6 done very little to interfere with the substance of war pensions legislation, including the entitlements provided for and the basis on which an award is made. 1.7 The long and complex history behind the present form of the War p ensions a  ct 1954 is worthy of detailed examination. The timeline below sets out the major events and changes in war pensions legislation and policy from 1843 to the present day: 1843 1847 n  ew Zealand Wars 1860 1872 n  ew Zealand Wars 1866 Military Pensions a  ct 1866 This a  ct introduced a system of pensions and lump sum payments for those who had been killed or wounded in active service. i t provided for all members of the Colonial Forces, including european and gNativeh officers and privates, and their widows, children and other family members.²¹ Different systems of payment covered officers and ordinary soldiers. p ensions were available primarily on the grounds of the soldier having suffered a physical disability that had resulted directly from his war service. 1899 2^nd s  outh a  frican (Boer) War 1900 Military Pensions e  xtension to Contingents a  ct 1900 This act extended the coverage of the Military pensions act 1866 to 2^nd s outh a  frican (Boer) War veterans. 1912 Military Pensions a  ct 1912 This a  ct changed the underlying basis upon which military pensions were paid. a  nyone who had served in the Colonial Forces during the New Zealand Wars, had lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years, had been granted a service medal (given to all soldiers who served in the i mperial forces regardless of whether they saw active service) and who 21 Military p ensions a ct 1866, s 2. tiMeline 23 Towards a new veteransf entitlements scheme: A discussion paper