Support & Welfare: Provides guidance, advocacy, and assistance for local military veterans, ex-service personnel, and their families.
Remembrance: Organizes local commemorative activities, including ANZAC Day services and remembrance tributes at local cemeteries.
Membership: Open to both former service personnel and non-veterans who wish to support the local community
News - what's happening with Kaiapoi RSA and Nationally
Upham Network -this edition of The Grapevine
Introduces a few new articles. The first – and most important – is a profile of our new Patron, Christopher Pugsley, one of New Zealand’s foremost military historians (and a former member of one of 2/4 RNZIR’s predecessor units).
Readers will also notice a photograph of what looks like a brand-new Charles Upham Centre building, although this is an artist’s impression of what a new facility could look like. As we noted in the previous edition, we have now moved all the books in the Polaschek collection to a more suitable room in a building in the Camp Community Centre which is also a more comfortable location for our volunteers to continue their work of cataloguing the whole collection.
On a more sombre note, we have introduced a new section titled ‘Last Post’, in which we will pay our respects to former members of our wider Army family in the South Island who have passed away. As the article notes, if any readers are aware of the deaths of former soldiers, please advise the Editors via the email address or through the Adjutant or Cadre NCOs.
Today 16th September is 
Malaya Veterans’ Day and we salute Kaiapoi RSA Life Member, Barry Lavery and commemorate all who served in New Zealand’s military operations in Malaya and Malaysia (1949 – 1966).More than 4,000 New Zealanders served during these campaigns. They left behind families, friends and familiar lives to serve in difficult and often dangerous conditions, carrying with them the responsibility of representing their country far from home.For many, the experience stayed with them long after their service ended. Their contribution helped shape New Zealand’s military, but more importantly, it is their courage, commitment and sacrifice that we remember today.We acknowledge every person who served, the families who supported them, and the 20 New Zealanders who lost their lives during operational service.Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou — We will remember them.
A good turn out tonight for 2026 AGM of the Kaiapoi RSA on May 12th 2026
Jan Giles RSA Archivist/Historian was appointed a Life Member of in recognition of her long and meritorious service to the RSA.
Patricia Hill was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for exceptional service to the RSA.
The following appointments to the Executive Committee were confirmed – President Allan West (returned member, SSGT (ret) Royal NZ Armoured Corps Association.Vice President Russell Keetley (Returned Member, Lt Col (ret) Commanding Officer Second Canterbury Nelson West Coast Battalion. Deputy Chairman of the Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board.Geoff Tavendale Kaiapoi RSA Life Member, Sgt (ret) RNZME/RNZAJan Giles (Kaiapoi RSA Archivist/Historian).Bill Wicks Maj (ret) Otago/Southland Regiment author of the novel A Long Way to Come and Die. Paul Croucher JP Current RSA Treasurer ( FENZ, Kaiapoi RSA Trustee).Russell Caldwell JP current RSA Secretary ex NZ Army. Former Officer Australian and New Zealand Army Cadets. Kaiapoi RSA Trustee. Past Vice President Canterbury District RSA.Stephen Kightly Chief Engineer (ret) 36 years’ service Merchant Navy United Kingdom. Angela Breward former Ships Purser Merchant Navy United Kingdom.Neville Atkinson JP, retired Deputy Mayor, Former Chair and current member of the Waimakariri Passchendaele Advisory Group. Brent Cairns, Waimakariri District Councillor. Page manager of Kaiapoi Information which serves as a hub for local events, news and business highlights.
The following ongoing ex officio roles were noted – Patron Maureen Lindsay Patron Kaiapoi RSA (NZRSA Merit Certificate/Badge, Kaiapoi RSA Life Member, Kaiapoi RSA Trustee, past treasurer and past Women’s Section member.).
Trustee – Gary Lang QSM, FENZ, Life Member Kaiapoi RSA, Trustee Kaiapoi RSA, past Secretary Honorary Padre – Reverand Sandy Constable, Specialist Mental health Service Chaplain former Parish Priest and Vicar of Kaiapoi former member of The Royal New Zealand Corps of Transport within the New Zealand Army.Kaiapoi High School Representative – Hannah Wells yr 13 Deputy Head Girl Kaiapoi RSA AGM
Kaiapoi RSA - Organizes local commemorative activities, including ANZAC Day services and remembrance tributes at local cemeteries.
Support & Welfare: Provides guidance, advocacy, and assistance for local military veterans, ex-service personnel, and their families.
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