TE TEKO, New Zealand – A dispute over unpaid fees and a new constitution is fracturing a national organization of former servicemen and women, with one club issuing a stark warning to others. Te Hokowhitu a Tū ki Te Teko Inc., formerly the Te Teko Memorial RSA, broke away in April, establishing its own constitution and identity.
“We knew the problems were coming up later down the track… and we didn’t want to be part of that,” said club president Hemana Waaka.
RSA modernizes, alienates traditional members
The Royal New Zealand RSA (RNZRSA) has launched a campaign to modernize, introducing initiatives like centrally funded support services, online capabilities, and a program to preserve veteran stories. The goal is to attract “contemporary veterans,” but this push has reportedly alienated some of its long-standing members.
Waaka claims internal conflict began in 2023, citing “heavy-handed communications” from national leadership. He expressed dismay at what he described as disparaging remarks from leadership, characterizing RSA clubs as simply places for drinking and gambling. “Kārekau rātou te whakaaro ake, ka kore te haurangi, ka kore te petipeti gambling, kei hea ngā putea hei whakahaere i a ratou whare?” Waaka stated, translating to, “They didn’t consider that without the [booze], without the gambling, where else would the money come to pay the bills?”
Many smaller branches, facing declining membership and financial strain, rely heavily on revenue from alcohol sales and gaming machines. Waaka pointed to one club that struggled after failing to renew its gaming machine license, noting many others face similar financial pressures.
Financial woes and constitution concerns
The RNZRSA revealed that 24 branches collectively owe $180,000 in unpaid fees. This has raised concerns about the organization’s cash flow and its ability to support veterans.
Reports indicate that 51 clubs had not yet submitted their poppy appeal returns from April. Furthermore, 18 clubs received suspension letters with an August 11 deadline to pay outstanding fees or face termination.
Waaka views the national body’s actions as counterproductive. “Ko ngā hereni kei te kohikohihia e tēnā whare, e tēnā whare, ka haere katoa ki a ratou. Ara, kua puta mai i a ratou tērā tono, a ‘ka kore koe e utu ka turakihia koe’ – koirā te wahanga kei te arohatia ahau ki ngā RSA,” he said, meaning, “The money collected by each and every club goes to [the national body]. Then, hello, they come out with an ultimatum, ‘if you don’t pay up you will be terminated’ – that’s where I feel sorry for those RSA clubs.”
He is encouraging other clubs to consider their options. “Don’t let them bully you into paying fees, that’s your choice. If you don’t want to pay your fees and live as an independent, you’re not on your own. There’ll be a lot of us that are independent, we will get together in time to organise our own national entity.”
RNZRSA board chairman Lieutenant General Rhys Jones acknowledged that while most clubs are financially stable, some are using overdue fees as a tactic to resist changes. “The issue is that money goes towards support for veterans and so that $180,000 is $180,000 that we are unable to use to support veterans around the country,” Jones explained. He called the situation a “self-shooting foot,” impacting their support capabilities.
Jones stated that discussions are ongoing with some of the clubs. “We’re trying to say ‘hey, you know, this was an obligation you’ve had over the last year the benefit of the services, the national support that the RSA provides’. It’s a bit unfair for them not paying those membership fees for us, which is, you know, an obligation. That’s what membership entails. There’s give and take. You donate the money in, here is the support you get.” He warned that unpaid fees could force the RNZRSA to reduce its support services, impacting reserves.
The new constitution has also drawn criticism. Waaka stated that it omits the Treaty of Waitangi and fails to recognize the organization’s Māori members. “I feel sorry for my Māori mates that are in all the RSAs right throughout the country. They got a constitution that doesn’t recognise them as a Māori,” he said.
Jones confirmed the Treaty was considered, but it was decided more member consultation was needed. “When we were looking at the new constitution, we did register the fact that maybe the Treaty of Waitangi principles should be involved in here, and work was done to do that. However, on the advice of the kaumātua of the RSA it was decided that, actually, more engagement, more consultation’s needed before that could be done.” He added that there wasn’t enough time for the process before the constitution’s endorsement, but plans exist to update it later.
He acknowledged past mistreatment of Māori members after World Wars but noted integration since the 1950s. “The RSA has really moved down that path for a while. We’ve had a kaumātua in the RSA for a while, and each of the meetings that we have we open with a karakia, close with a karakia. So the recognition of the ao Māori has been there in the RSA for quite some time.”
Adding to the friction, reports surfaced Tuesday that the national body faces legal action from Auckland District-based RSA clubs over alleged unlawful constitutional changes.
Waaka urged other clubs to consider their affiliations. “If you want to stay in the RSA with the new constitution, you’re going to have financial problems later on if you can’t afford your fees.”
