By Emma Jolliff
It's Anzac Day tomorrow, and for 95 years returned servicemen have been supported by the Returned and Services Association.
But as the number of original veterans diminishes, how relevant is the RSA as an organisation, and how enduring is it likely to be?
It was a year after the allies' failed landing at Gallipoli that the country's first RSA was founded in Wellington, then called the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, the RSA became the guardians of Anzac Day.
The RSA's aim is to support veterans and advocate on their behalf.
“Each year another 1000 are being created, from our deployment of defence in places like Afghanistan, Timor, the Solomons,” says the RSA’s Stephen Clarke.
But that's way down on the number of veterans from the world wars of early last century.
In 1950 there were 225,000 veterans living in New Zealand, there are currently only 40,000. But the membership is exactly the same - 115,000.
That's because these days "associates" with no military service are allowed to join. They make up more than half the members.
In the early days, the RSA was often the only place where veterans felt they could talk openly about the trauma of war with others who'd been there.
“People in here are the last ones who'd like to see NZ troops going to war. They've seen it happen, they don't particularly want to see it happen again,” says Don McGrury.
Those we spoke to say the RSA creates a strong link between past servicemen and current service.
“We're coming up to our own centenary in 2016, coming up to the centenaries of the first world war, of Gallipoli. That's going to be a huge time for New Zealanders to reflect on our history,” says Mr Clarke.
“The Anzac spirit is alive and well and the RSA is a big part of that. I can't see that diminishing,” says Lieutenant Commander Brendon Oakley.
So while New Zealand may not be involved in as much frontline combat as in the past, the sacrifices of all those who have fought for New Zealand won't be forgotten.
3 News