RSA - Canterbury District

12/06/2026

12/06/2026

If your in Ashburton on Monday morning you're in for a big surprise.

Head to the RSA in Cox St. A large red hot air balloon, decorated with Poppies will be tethered there from 7.15am. Make a gold coin donation to the RSA.

The Ballon from Cambridge is in Mid Canterbury for the Fire and Ice hot air balloon show on in Methven June 20.

Image provided by Ashburton RSA

09/06/2026

'Who Dares Wins'... they are bold, calculated risk-takers, committed to achieving a goal even when facing extreme challenges and not guaranteed to succeed. They are the soldiers of the NZ Special Air Service and we're celebrating the anniversary of their Corps today!

The soldiers of the NZSAS are among the most highly trained in the NZ Defence Force. Selected through a demanding process and forged through rigorous training, they are expected to operate in some of the world's most challenging environments. Success is never guaranteed, yet they are trusted to undertake missions that demand exceptional skill, resilience, initiative and teamwork.

Today, we recognise the service and achievements of this elite unit, which has earned an international reputation for courage, professionalism and operational excellence.

To mark the occasion, we're taking a closer look at a fascinating item from the Museum collection — a folding "stealth" kayak used by the NZSAS for covert seaborne operations.

Known as the Classic Quattro II, this remarkable craft was designed to insert soldiers behind enemy lines with minimal chance of detection. Measuring five metres in length, it could be folded for transport and quickly assembled when required. The kayak served with NATO forces from 1953 until 2010 and remained in NZSAS service until 2012.

While the skill and determination of the operator were always paramount, specialised equipment such as this kayak played a vital role in helping NZSAS soldiers carry out some of their most demanding tasks.

🔗 https://www.armymuseum.co.nz/stories/nzsas-corps-day/

09/06/2026

New veteran support hub opens in Greerton

07/06/2026

Red sky at night, soldiers delight 💥 2nd/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment personnel recently supported a 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles exercise in Tekapo.

Direct Fire Support Weapons never looked so good.

📸 LAC C Williams

07/06/2026

Thanks to Margaret Turnbull, soon to be 98 year old Fay Hunt from the Lady Wigram Retirement Village in Christchurch received her Operation Wrapped in Remembrance scarf.

Fay who until recently lived in Ashburton was a WAAF. Faye Hunt was one of the 99 English ladies who were brought out to NZ in 1951 to join the RNZAF.

She was the oldest person at the Anzac Day service at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand

06/06/2026

Putting faces to the names of our club's two senior officers, notably in rank.
All uniformed up at Linton were the club's patron, Lt Col Martin Dransfield at left and Major Carey Talauta who has been the club president since 2016, now serving for a record 11th year.
Both are active golfers

06/06/2026

09/11/2025

Yesterday was a sad day for Papanui RSA past and present members, associates, whānau and friends as the Association closed the doors for the final time.

We hope those veterans who received an Operation Wrapped in Remembrance scarf left the proceedings feeling remembered and appreciated.

The President BJ Clark pictured here in his scarf.