Changing Shape of RSAs: Who Is Supposed to Support Veterans?

Across South Auckland, the Returned and Services Association (RSA) is evolving rapidly, but a central question persists: who bears responsibility for supporting veterans? As traditional veteran membership declines, associate members are increasingly stepping in to keep local RSAs operational, raising important questions about the future of these community institutions and their role in veteran welfare.

The Shift in RSA Membership and Leadership

At the Papatoetoe RSA, Anzac Day remains one of the busiest and most significant events of the year. However, manager Adele Stone notes that day-to-day engagement is considerably lower, with only about 50 of the club’s 500+ members attending regularly—most of them older veterans.

Stone explained that the RSA network is undergoing a wider transformation: “Since associate members have been coming in, you’ll identify now that most RSA are actually run by the associate members now given that there’s not enough veterans left.” This shift reflects a broader trend where non-veteran associate members are taking on leadership and operational roles to sustain RSA activities.

Despite this change, Stone emphasized that RSAs offer more than just annual Anzac Day observances: “We have a lot more to offer than just popping up once a year for Anzac Day.”

Clarifying Responsibilities for Veteran Support

While RSAs continue to play a meaningful role in guiding commemorative services—particularly dawn services—they do not provide direct veteran welfare or entitlements. Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand remains the primary government agency responsible for national support, including pensions, healthcare, and rehabilitation services for veterans and their families.

Local government bodies, such as the Manurewa-Papakura ward, focus on commemorative efforts and the maintenance of memorial sites. Councillor Daniel Newman stated that welfare support for veterans sits primarily with Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand, while councils contribute through organizing ceremonies and preserving war memorials.

Importantly, the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association confirms that each RSA operates independently and is expected to adapt to its local community’s needs. There is no centralized management of individual RSAs by the national body.

The Role of RSAs in Commemorative Activities

Even though RSAs are not welfare providers, they remain vital custodians of remembrance. Many clubs organize Anzac Day dawn services, maintain local war memorials, and support community education about military service. Their halls often serve as venues for veteran gatherings, though attendance has declined in line with aging membership.

In recent years, some RSAs have adapted by extending Poppy Day appeals into Poppy Month to compensate for missed fundraising opportunities, particularly following disruptions in material shipments that historically affected poppy distribution.

Challenges and Community Adaptation

The declining number of veterans able to participate in RSA activities has prompted many clubs to rely on associate members—individuals who support the RSA’s mission but are not former service personnel—to manage operations, organize events, and maintain facilities. This model allows RSAs to remain active in their communities, even as their original membership base shrinks.

Nonetheless, concerns persist about the long-term sustainability of this approach, particularly regarding the preservation of the RSA’s original purpose and its connection to the veteran community.

Conclusion

The evolving landscape of RSAs in New Zealand reflects broader societal changes, including an aging veteran population and shifting community engagement patterns. While associate members are helping to keep RSA clubs open and active, the responsibility for supporting veterans’ welfare continues to rest with Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand and other government agencies.

RSAs, meanwhile, remain important for preserving the tradition of remembrance, supporting commemorative events, and maintaining memorials—functions that continue to resonate across generations, even as the organizations themselves adapt to new realities.