1910s

15 July 1915

First wounded soldiers from Gallipoli return to New Zealand aboard the SS Willochra and soon begin to form local returned soldier associations.

1916

25 April: First Anzac Day observance.

28 April: New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association founded at a conference in Wellington called by Captain Donald Simson, whom is subsequently elected President.

1916

First Badge.

1918

25 April: Quick March first published.

1919

NZRSA Dominion Council narrowly votes against entering party politics.

1920s

1920

Postwar peak with 57,000 members.

Anzac Day Act establishes statutory holiday.

1921

Anzac Day Amendment Act establishes that the day be observed as if it was a Sunday.

1922

24 April: First Poppy Day.

1923

Quick March ceases publication.

1924

NZRSA Review first published.

1927

6,671 members nationwide is the lowest figure since its founding.

New smaller badge introduced.

South African War Veterans' Association affiliates to NZRSA.

1929

Ex-Soldiers Rehabilitation Commission established as a result of RSA pressure.

1930s

1931

NZRSA produces its own poppies.

1932

NZRSA establishes the Soldiers' Civil Re-establishment League (later re-named the Disabled Servicemen's Rehabilitation League).

1933

First Tin Hat Club established in Wellington.

1935

War Veterans Allowance Act introduced after much RSA pressure.

1936

Anzac Stamp issue commemorates 21st Anniversary of Gallipoli and raises welfare funds.

1937

NZRSA's 21st Anniversary.

1938

1400-strong RSA Contingent travel to Sydney to attend as part of Australia's 150th Celebrations.

1939

Dawn Service introduced nationwide.

1940s

1941

Renamed New Zealand Returned Services' Association.

NZRSA closely involved with the introduction of the Rehabilitation Act, which establishes the Rehabilitation Department.

1942

Introduction of RSA Women's Sections formalise the Ladies' Committee that had existed since 1916.

1943

Dominion President William Perry resigns to join the War Council and is later appointed
Minister of the Armed Forces and War Co-ordination.

1946

Remembrance Day introduced and observed on the Sunday nearest Armistice Day (11 November).

1947

Postwar peak membership of 136,119 members.

1949

NZRSA plays a major part in the campaign leading to the introduction of Compulsory Military Training, which continues until 1959.

1950s

1954

War Pensions Act.

1960s

1961

National Military Service Act introduces National Service which continues until 1972.

1964

Hall of Memories completes the National War Memorial some 30 years after the NZRSA called for its completion.

1965

50th Anniversary of Gallipoli.

1966

Anzac Day Amendment Act liberalises afternoon observance after 1pm.

1966

NZRSA's 50th Anniversary and launch of the Jubilee Fund.

1967

First anti-Vietnam War protests at Anzac Day services, which continue to disrupt services over the next 5 years.

1970s

1977

Service membership introduced.

1980s

1981

Last South African War veteran dies.

1990s

1990

75th Anniversary of Gallipoli renews interest in the observance.

1991

NZRSA's 75th Anniversary.

1995

50th Anniversary of the end of WWII.

1997

Last Gallipoli veteran dies.

1998

New Associate membership badge.

2000s

2000

HM Queen Elizabeth II grants title 'Royal' and now known as the Royal New Zealand Returned Services' Association (RNZRSA).

2002

Launch website.

2003

Last New Zealand-born WWI veteran dies.

2004

Renamed Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association (RNZRSA).

2005

90th Anniversary of Gallipoli and 60th Anniversary of the end of WWII.

New Returned and Service Badge as well as Associate Badge.

2006

90th Anniversary and the 'Year of the Veteran'.