Waitara Returned and Services Association - Inc.

29/09/2026

Hello members and families,

The Committee have decided to hold its annual end of year Christmas gathering for 2026.

Come along for the end of the year get together with a BBQ lunch, a few cold beverages and lots of fun before the festive season kicks in. The mid-winter dinner was a blast and we hope this will be too.

This will be a casual occasion and a chance for another catch up to connect with your RSA mates and their families.

Save the date -

SUNDAY DECEMBER 6, 11.00AM to 2 PM
Location -Waitara District Services and Citizens Club / Waitara RSA

We will need numbers for catering, so please let Kath know via Email - [email protected] - before November 27.

Looking forward to seeing and joining with you to celebrate the end of another successful year!

16/09/2026

Hello members and families,

For those who are interested, please find below the details for a service to be held by the New Plymouth RSA this Sunday 20 September.

BATTLE OF BRITAIN

15 September 2026 marked the 86th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain - the campaign in which the RAF successfully repulsed massive Luftwaffe raids, forcing the postponement of Hitlers planned invasion of Great Britain.
“Never in the field of human conflict was so much been owed by so many to so few” – Sir Winston Churchill, August 20, 1940.

The New Plymouth RSA is conducting its annual Battle of Britain Remembrance Service at the Church of St Mary on Vivian Street, commencing at 12 noon, Sunday, 20 September 2026.
You and your membership are cordially invited to attend.
Nga mihi
Graham Chard

27/08/2026

VALE

Doris Elizabeth Hill “Betty”
3/02/1937 -25/08/2026

Awarded Life Membership of the Waitara RSA in 2014.
Married to Ted (deceased) former Secretary and Life Member, Betty was a great asset to our RSA.

Becoming an Associate Member in 2004, Betty was heavily involved in and as President of the Women’s Division and Treasurer of the Association. Betty and the Women’s Section carried out funeral catering, hospital visiting and Poppy Day collecting and I’m sure much more.
The first mention of women’s support committees in the NZRSA is in 1941. Actually, many of these committees were working as Patriotic and similar committees from the first months of the 1914-18 war and under varying names becoming the auxiliaries of the RSA when it came into being in June1916.
In 1973 the Waitara Returned and Services’ Association (Inc.) Women’s Section started up. However, it was not until 1985 the national body confirmed the use of the title “Women’s Section to the RSA”.

Betty's Service will be held at;
Simple Cremations and Burials,
233 Carrington Street, New Plymouth on Saturday August 29 at 11.00am.

Anyone members who friends that would like to attend would be appreciated.

Thank you Betty
Lest we forget
Our condolences go out to your family.

25/08/2026

🇳🇿 THE GREAT LAST KIWI VETERAN HUNT 🇳🇿

We need your help.

The New Zealand Remembrance Army is trying to identify our remaining New Zealand Second World War veterans — servicemen and women who are still with us today.

We believe the number may now be down to around 25 nationwide.

At this stage, we don't believe there are many — if any — veterans remaining from the early years of the war.

Most of those still with us are likely to have served during the later stages of the conflict, particularly 1944–45.

But we want to find out.
Do you know a surviving Kiwi WWII veteran?

Army, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Navy, nursing services — wherever and however they served, we'd like to hear about them.

Please comment below with their name, age, service and unit/squadron/ship if known.

You can also message the page privately if the family would prefer.

These men and women are now an incredibly precious link to a generation that is rapidly passing into history.

Let's find them.

Let's recognise them.

And, while we still can, let's hear their stories.

🇳🇿 LEST WE FORGET 🌺

23/08/2026

Hi all,

Something new to look at for those that want a walk down memory lane.
Old and new unit, campaign and service plaques from all three Services are on display down at the Waitara RSA. Most have been gifted or donated by local service families over the years and are now up for all to see.

23/08/2026

Great service to recognise our modern day veterans whilst still honoring those before us.
Lest we forget
Ake Ake Kia Kaha

17/08/2026

17/08/2026

Commemorating VJ Day and Vietnam Veterans on Sunday August 16. The Gambia was alongside the USS Missouri for the signing of the surrender on September 2 1945.

16/08/2026

This morning I joined the Waitara RSA to recognize Victory over Japan (VJ Day) and Vietnam Veterans' Day (marking the Battle of Long Tan).

We are incredibly fortunate to live in a country where most of us have known nothing but peace. But peace should never be taken for granted. History reminds us just how fragile it can be, and how quickly the world can change. Lest we forget.

16/08/2026

Hi Members and families,

Please find the details below for a service being held by the New Plymouth RSA next Sunday. Would be great to get together as RSA members to support and pay our respects.

The New Plymouth RSA is hosting a Remembrance and Commemoration Service on Sunday 23 August 2026 to honour the 15 NZDF service personnel who lost their lives in Afghanistan and East Timor, and to recognise the more than 60,000 personnel who have served in operational theatres since 1974.

Service Details
Date: Sunday 23 August 26
Time: 10.45 am for an 11.00 am service
Location: New Plymouth Club Auditorium, Level 1, 55 Gill Street, New Plymouth

Invitation
Members of the contemporary veteran community, RSA members, and their families are warmly invited to attend. The service offers an opportunity to pay tribute to, and show respect for, all those who have served in locations around the world since the Vietnam War.

Graham Chard
President
New Plymouth and Districts Returned and Services Association