Judith Collins

Wellington, Sept 3 NZPA - Veterans Affairs Minister Judith Collins has marked Merchant Navy Day by paying tribute to the work and sacrifices made by New Zealand's merchant seamen during World War 2.

"More than 130 New Zealand merchant seamen were killed, seven New Zealand merchant ships were sunk as a result of enemy action, and more than 100 merchant seamen were taken prisoner," she said.

Ms Collins said several thousand people served as civilian volunteers in the merchant navy during the war, and were involved in delivering troops, military equipment and supplies of food, fuel and other raw materials to the allied war effort.

New Zealand was "eternally grateful" for those efforts, she said.