Media Release
17 April 2012
Defence Personnel Support Poppy Day
Volunteers from the New Zealand Defence Force, including Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand, Ministry of Defence, will be
joined by United States Marines, collecting on the streets of Wellington for the 90th anniversary of the Poppy Day
Appeal.
This year Poppy Day is on Friday 20 April, and the Marines from the United States Embassy will join New Zealand Defence
staff collecting in the annual appeal for the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association (RNZRSA).
The Marines have a long historical association with Wellington, as they were stationed in camps in Wellington and the
Kapiti Coast during the Second World War.
RNZRSA Chief Executive, Dr Stephen Clarke says, “All the money raised locally is spent locally – so money raised in a
community is spent on the welfare needs of ex-servicemen and women in that community. We are very grateful to our valued
partner the Defence Force who provide collectors for the appeal.”
In 2011, $1.7 million was raised and Dr Clarke said it remained the most important source of support and funding for the
RSA movement across the country.
ENDS