Source: Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association
8 October 2026
The Royal New Zealand RSA (RNZRSA) has released the findings of a review into the governance and management of Poppy Trust funds by the Papanui Returned and Services Association.
The review found no evidence of fraud or misappropriation, but it did identify significant governance mistakes, failures and breaches of duty by successive Papanui RSA Executives and Charitable Trust trustees. These included a lack of separation between the Association and its Trust, inadequate management of conflicts of interest, insufficient documentation and oversight, and the use of Trust funds to support the Association’s operations.
The review was able to confirm that Papanui RSA’s Welfare Trust retained enough money to meet all approved support applications and found no evidence that any veterans who applied and met the criteria had been denied support.
The outstanding loan recorded as owing to the Trust was repaid following the sale of the Papanui RSA’s property.
RNZRSA Board Chair Rhys Jones said the review provided an important opportunity to learn and strengthen Poppy Fund management across the RSA network.
“New Zealanders give generously to the Poppy Appeal because they trust that their donations will be protected and used to support veterans and their whānau. We must honour that trust through strong governance, clear accountability and careful stewardship of every dollar,” Mr Jones said.
“The review identified serious shortcomings that must be addressed, but it also found these arose from a lack of knowledge, experience and understanding, not from deliberate wrongdoing.
“We will continue to work constructively with the Papanui RSA and its Charitable Trust as they consider the recommended corrective actions. Just as importantly, we will use the wider lessons from this review to help strengthen the governance and management of Poppy Funds nationally.”
The review made the following recommendations for the RNZRSA:
- undertaking a stocktake of Poppy Funds managed across the RSA network and the safeguards protecting them;
- updating and expanding RNZRSA’s Poppy Trust guidance;
- strengthening induction, training and ongoing support for Association executives and trustees;
- reinforcing the legal and operational separation required between Associations and their trusts;
- improving the identification and management of conflicts of interest; and
- exploring options for professional investment management and greater collaboration between local trusts and the National Poppy Trust.
“Our focus now is on working together to put these lessons into practice,” Mr Jones said.
“Local Associations and their trusts are largely governed by volunteers who give their time because they care deeply about their communities. The RNZRSA is committed to giving those volunteers clearer guidance and practical support so they can carry out their responsibilities confidently and protect the public’s trust in the RNZRSA and the Poppy Appeal.”