Information Clinics for all service personnel
On Thursday, 21 May between the hours of 10am - 2pm, Queenstown and Arrowtown RSAs in conjunction with Veterans Affairs New Zealand are offering information clinics for all service personnel, whatever their service or age, at the Queenstown Events Centre, Joe O’Connell Drive Frankton.
WE KNOW YOU ARE OUT THERE IN OUR COMMUNITY and also aware that in the “Book of Life” there are chapters that we would prefer to forget. We, however, would like you to be aware of what support your local RSA and New Zealand Veterans Affairs can offer you due to your service for your country.
New Zealand Returned and Services Association, commonly known as the RSA, was established in 1916. It was formed by returning Anzac soldiers during World War I to provide support and welfare for servicemen, women and their families, and to foster comradeship.
Veterans Affairs New Zealand (part of the New Zealand Defence Force) provides support, entitlements and recognition to former and current military personnel with qualifying service and their families. This is to ensure veterans can be well at home, at work, and in their communities.
In 2014 the Veterans Support Act was passed to provide services specifically for those whose well-being has been affected by their military service.
In April 2025, the government introduced new legislation to recognise more former defence personnel as veterans. The government proposed a stand alone Veterans Recognition Bill, for more information regarding this come along to our clinics on 21 May. You never know, you may be entitled to support of some kind that you weren’t aware of.
On a more local note Queenstown and Arrowtown RSAs operate alongside each other managing commemorations in the Wakatipu area. Both maintain an executive committee to support veterans and their families.
In terms of offering comradeship to veterans in the Wakatipa area, social events are held each week on a Friday between 5pm - 7pm at the Queenstown RSA, located in the Queenstown Memorial Centre. Anyone can pop in for a chat, a game of pool or darts, a coffee, or drink. We have entertainment with the Ukuladies musical group, toasted sandwich nights – tastiest and cheapest you will find in town. We welcome new members.
Our local RSAs are small groups of men and women who work tirelessly in our communities with generosity and warmth. We want to get stuff done and provide support in our ever-expanding community. The Queenstown RSA has an impressive library of military history and books, which are able to be borrowed.
Back to our clinic: Come along to the Events Centre, Joe O’Connell, Drive Frankton, between 10am – 2pm on 21 May. We are looking forward to meeting with you.
