The Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association, best known simply as the RSA, is one of the largest voluntary welfare organisations in

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

and one of the oldest

ex-service organisation A veterans' organization, also known as an en-GB, ex-service organisation, label=none, is an organization composed of persons who served in a country's armed forces, especially those who served in the armed forces during a period of war. The organ ...

s in the world. Wounded soldiers returning from the Gallipoli Campaign founded the organisation in 1916, and it received royal

patronage Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows on another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings, popes, and the wealthy have provided to artists su ...

in 1920. The RNZRSA celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2016. NZRSA remembrance poppy

The RSA's commitment to service personnel in need is embodied in

Poppy Day Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day owing to the tradition of wearing a remembrance poppy) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces members who have died in t ...

when red poppies are exchanged for donations to hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders to raise funds for the welfare of all service personnel and their families. Poppy Day is usually observed on the Friday before ANZAC Day (25 April), New Zealand's national day of commemoration. Remembrance plays a special part in the life of the RSA. A moment of silence is generally observed daily at RSA club rooms in memory of comrades. On ANZAC Day and on other special anniversaries, local RSAs play a significant part in wreath-laying ceremonies of remembrance. As of 2014, 103,574 members support a network of 180 local RSAs throughout New Zealand. RSA membership is open to everyone. The badge is still one of the most familiar icons in New Zealand. The 'local RSA' is a well-known meeting place or restaurant where anyone is welcome.

References

External links

New Zealand Veterans Affairs

Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association
{{Authority control Veterans' organizations Charities based in New Zealand New Zealand in World War I Organisations based in New Zealand with royal patronage