RNZRSA Chief Executive Dr Stephen Clarke. Photograph by Colin McDiarmid

Dr Stephen Clarke appointed RNZRSA Chief Executive

Dr Stephen Clarke is the newly appointed Chief Executive of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association. He replaced Pat Herbert who retired on 30 October after 17 years, the second longest tenure in the RNZRSA’s 92-year history.

RNZRSA President Robin Klitscher said, “We welcome Stephen. . . in full appreciation that he will be taking over the reins from a particularly well-respected and skilful CE, but confident also that he will discharge the duties in an equally effective manner. We know that Stephen brings with him an obvious and deep understanding of what we are all about”.

At 40, and married with a young family, Dr Clarke is the youngest RNZRSA CE since World War I. He looks forward to assisting and guiding the RSA movement forward in the 21st Century. “It is an exciting time to be involved with the RSA and the veteran community at a time when we enjoy such generous support from the community. The respect and connections we see each ANZAC Day are a reminder that veterans are treasured members of our society and that their stories are a part of our story as a nation,” he said.

“I look forward to providing New Zealanders with new opportunities to connect and support the RSA, whether it be on ANZAC Day or Poppy Day, through our welfare and youth support programmes, or down at the ‘Razza’ itself.”

Dr Clarke envisages the RSA will long continue to play an important role in local communities from Kaitaia to the Bluff, as it has done over the last century.

“There’s plenty more history left in us yet,” he said.

Dr Clarke has been associated with the RSA from university days when his study of the observance of ANZAC Day was supported by the RSA. He returned from further overseas study in 1999 to take up the role as the RNZRSA’s official historian, which he is completing, and since 2001 has been based at National Headquarters in roles such as research officer, commemorations, web manager and most recently public relations.

A graduate from the University of Otago and the Australian Defence Force Academy, Dr Clarke has specialized in military history and is an expert on the history of the return of service personnel and war remembrance in New Zealand. He is a frequent consultant on film and television, including Maori Television’s ANZAC Day broadcasts, as well as contributor to newspapers and books both here and overseas.