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"Old Man Mac" McKenzie

  • Update 10th Dec

      10 December 2024

    Unfortunately not the news we were hoping for...yet, Old Man Mac is still in the hospital in Darwin. His niece has flown back to Australia 4 days ago to continue the bureaucratic administration to-ing and fro-ing with Centrelink who manages his pension. With the close down of most government departments looming, trying to get him back to be with his whanau for Christmas would be a god send, so fingers crossed once again.

    On a positive note one of the boys flew over from Perth to see him last weekend and he did notice small improvements with Mac, more dexterity in his left hand and he even seemed as though he was trying to talk.

    That's it for now team, this GAL page ends Christmas day, so if we don't have the good news we are all waiting for by then, I'll post them on the social media FB groups most of you are on.

    Thanks once again.

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  • Update as at 13th November 2024

      14 November 2024

    Old Man Macs niece Makuini has been grinding away to get things sorted with having to jump through hoops, especially across the ditch where they want supporting documentation handed in by her in person and expect her to hang around in case they need something else. FYI Makuini lives in NZ, so she’s having to make back & forth trips to get things done.

    On a positive note, her meeting with Gisborne hospital went well and they have agreed to the transfer process, and all going well they’d like to have him back in NZ by the end of November but that’s not a given as a couple of other planets have to line up for that to work. Because Mac will be bed bound and needing medical support for awhile yet, and with the shortage of hospital beds around the country, he won’t be able to stay in the Gisborne hospital for long. So, the whanau are waiting for a bed to become available in a rest home where he’ll be moved to after a short stay in the hospital.

    Big shout out to the boys who made a trip to visit Mac in the past month. That’s all I have for now, once I hear more, I’ll let you all know.

    Thanks again for the donations, especially those who have never met Mac before, it's truly appreciated, that's what the Ngati Tu brother/sisterhood is all about.

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  • Update 13th October

      12 October 2024

    An update on some of the logistics and administration that Mac’s niece Makuini and whanau have achieved and are still needing to navigate.

    - Wednesday 9th, Makuini attended a video tribunal hearing with a judge in Darwin and was granted immediate guardianship for Mac.

    - Thursday 10th, we received confirmation that Mac had deployed to Bosnia in 1994, which means he qualifies under the Veterans Support Act 2014 and can be registered with Veteran Affairs. However, due to Mac’s inability to communicate orally or written, the family must work with lawyers (legal expense) to apply for power of attorney. This will also be required to apply to MSD for any support on Mac’s behalf.

    - Then on Friday 11th, Makuini engaged with Gisborne hospital to discuss Mac being admitted when he gets flown home to NZ.

    So, there’s still a bit of work needed to get things moving, including engaging with a number of private medical flight companies to get quotes and what logistics will be needed e.g. immigration and customs when departing Australia and arriving in NZ.

    For those who have mentioned, “why not use commercial airlines like Air NZ”, as they do have the capability to fly patients on stretcher beds with accompanying nurses or doctors. This has been considered, but Darwin hospital has told the family Mac has special requirements, which can’t be met with a commercial flight.

    I’ll update you as more comes to hand. Thanks again for the kind and generous donations, big or small it all helps.

    JMF

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