Tom CORMACK JP

Candidate Questions

Why do you want to be National Vice President of the RNZRSA?

I am standing for National Vice President because service and the RSA’s purpose matter deeply to me. As the son of a Vietnam veteran and a former Territorial member of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, I have a personal connection to the veteran community. I want to contribute my experience to the RSA’s continuing work for veterans and their families and support Member Associations in the work they do within their communities. Having served in local, district and national RSA roles, I understand how national decisions affect Member Associations in practice. The role would allow me to apply my local, district and national experience in support of the RSA’s continuing service to veterans, their families and Member Associations. It would also be an opportunity to give something back to a movement whose purpose and values are important to me. I would bring a practical, measured approach and a genuine commitment to the people and purpose of the RSA.

If you are elected, what do you think the most important aspect of your role would be and why?

I believe the most important aspect of the role is maintaining trusted relationships between the National President, the RNZRSA Board, the Forum, National Office and Member Associations. A national movement will inevitably contain different views; the important thing is that they are heard and addressed respectfully, with the needs of veterans and their families kept at the centre. The National Vice President must be accessible, listen carefully and ensure that local perspectives are understood when national matters are considered. I am approachable and work comfortably with people one-to-one and in group settings. My constitutional work with more than 100 RSAs has reinforced that good governance depends not only on clear standards, but also on practical guidance that takes account of different needs and circumstances. By building trust and working collaboratively, I would help people address differences constructively and develop practical, well-reasoned solutions that support veterans and strengthen Member Associations.

How do you think the RNZRSA can best position itself to support the next generation of veterans?

The RNZRSA can best position itself by building on the valuable work already under way. I recognise and support the recent and ongoing efforts of support staff at National Office and RSA Member Associations to engage younger veterans and help them understand the support and services available to them. I am also encouraged by RNZRSA’s wider advocacy on behalf of veterans, including its support for the advocacy associated with the Tā Wira Gardiner case, among other important initiatives. This demonstrates the importance of ensuring that present and future generations of veterans can seek fair consideration of their claims and entitlements.

It is important that this work continues to reflect the experiences of current service personnel, people who have recently left the New Zealand Defence Force, and their families. Sharing successful approaches across the movement will help National Office and Member Associations respond to the different communities they serve. By continuing to adapt while preserving remembrance and its traditions, the RSA can remain relevant and accessible to younger veterans and their families.

Candidate Biography

Tom Cormack Candidate Biography

Candidate for National Vice President of the RNZRSA

I am standing for National Vice President because I want to contribute my experience to the RSA’s continuing work supporting veterans, preserving remembrance and sustaining a strong movement for future generations. I offer experience across local, district and national RSA roles, supported by 40 years of public service.

As the son of a Vietnam veteran and a former Territorial member of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, based at RNZAF Base Te Rapa in the mid-1980s, I have a strong personal connection to service, tradition and the veteran community. The values of duty, integrity, accountability and service have guided both my professional career and my work within the RSA.

I served for 40 years with the New Zealand Customs Department and Customs Service. During that time, I held a range of leadership and management positions involving strategic planning, compliance oversight, organisational change and support for frontline capability. I also managed significant projects, including a multimillion-dollar technology upgrade rolled out across Customs airport operations throughout New Zealand, helping to improve passenger-processing times and strengthen the integrity of New Zealand’s border. These responsibilities strengthened my leadership, judgement and understanding of accountability in complex organisations.

Within the RSA movement, I currently serve as District President of the Wellington-West Coast-Taranaki District, having served in both acting and appointed capacities since February 2020. I am also Chair of the RNZRSA Constitution Advisory Group and Treasurer of the Upper Hutt RSA, where I previously served as President. Serving at local, district and national levels has given me a practical understanding of the challenges faced by Member Associations and the impact that national decisions have on them.

As Chair of the Constitution Advisory Group, I have supported more than 100 RSAs to bring their local constitutions into line with RNZRSA requirements and prepare for re-registration under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022. I have also worked closely with several RSAs to prepare new rules. I listened carefully to their priorities and concerns, took account of their individual circumstances, and worked with them to develop practical outcomes that met their needs while satisfying both RNZRSA and legislative requirements.

If elected, I will work closely with the National President, the Forum and Member Associations to uphold sound governance, advocate for veterans’ interests and assist RSAs throughout New Zealand. I will bring sound judgement, extensive experience and a strong commitment to service. I will work constructively with others to advance the RSA’s purpose and serve its people and communities.