ANZAC 2026: RSA reveals new-look poppy after 50 years

After more than 50 years, the RSA’s iconic poppy is getting an important update - one that honours our veterans while being kinder to the planet.

This year, Kiwis will start wearing a biodegradable paper poppy instead of the traditional fabric and plastic ones.

The new poppy is made from paper and renewable fibres - including waste from coffee cup production - and is fully biodegradable. 

Because it’s a paper product and harder to pin, the poppies now come with a sticky adhesive label to make it easy to wear on all types of clothing.

RSA national president Tony Hill says the symbol’s meaning remains the same as it has for decades, but how it’s produced needed to evolve.

“The poppy is one of the most powerful symbols of remembrance… this new version allows us to continue the tradition New Zealanders know and love, while making sure it is more sustainable,” he told Stuff.

Whether you receive the plastic poppy or the new sustainable version, it represents our collective gratitude for those who served and sacrificed for our country.

According to a statement released by RSA, the change comes after decades of hard work by volunteers in Christchurch, who made the plastic poppies on a purpose-built machine. 

The machine was aging, the materials were mostly plastic, and non-biodegradable poppies were causing issues at cemeteries and memorials, sometimes getting caught in lawnmowers and creating extra work for caretakers.

When the RSA looked into producing biodegradable poppies locally, costs for upgrading machinery and sourcing materials were too high to manage.

Making them in New Zealand just wasn’t doable anymore, so the RSA teamed up with the Royal British Legion in the UK, who’d already created sustainable poppies.

Some of the classic plastic poppies will still be handed out in 2026 to use up the remaining stock.