Papanui RSA to close

Sunday, 26 October 2025

After 102 years, a treasured Christchurch RSA is closing after trading “at a significant loss”.

The Papanui RSA, established in 1923, will close on November 8.

In a social media post on Friday, president BJ Clark told members the decision to close was made at an Annual General Meeting as the organisation had become financially unsustainable.

“Be assured, this decision has not been made lightly and was extremely difficult to make.”

Clark said the swift closure was unavoidable as “we cannot continue to trade at a significant loss”.

A Last Post service would be held on November 8 at 5pm.

“This will entail the flag being raised as Reveille sounds, a couple of short speeches and Last Post will sound as the flag is lowered formally for the last time.”

Members of the public are invited to attend “with thanks on this sad occasion, but also to reminisce on some of the amazing occasions we have enjoyed at the RSA”.

Clark thanked management, staff and members for their loyalty and support, and past leadership for their efforts to “keep the RSA going”.

“We will settle up our finances, ensure the staff and all creditors are paid, if we can.”

Clark said in the post discussions with Christchurch RSA about “a way forward together as a combined RSA” had taken place and he would keep members informed.

The closure follows the Christchurch Memorial RSA in the central city having to sell its Armagh St headquarters after its restaurant business Trenches collapsed after amassing large debts.

The Christchurch Memorial RSA then moved its meetings and social events to the Richmond Club.

In 2024, the Papanui RSA looked to sell its Harewood Rd buildings and land to stay afloat in the face of financial losses. At that point, the club reassured members it was not closing, just downsizing.

The club had made a loss of $170,000 for the year to the end of June 2023. That followed a loss of $53,000 the previous year, after expenses rose by $75,000.

The club’s income came from bar and food sales, subscriptions, gaming machines, and rents.

“We are asset rich and cash poor,” it said at the time.

The large property sits behind shops at the northern end on Papanui Rd and the southern end of Harewood Rd.

It includes 847m2 worth of buildings on a 4166m2 piece of land with a commercial zoning and three separate street entrances.

Proceeds from Anzac Day poppy sales and other donations are spent on welfare for current and past service people and families.