What's on at Air Force Museum of New Zealand
Latest from the museum
Latest Exhibition
Victory!
It is 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
Our Victory exhibition, upstairs in the atrium, marks this significant milestone in world history, and the story of the RNZAF.
Victory includes images and memories of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day which have been sourced from photographs, letters, postcards and personal histories in our collection.
Victory includes insights into how Kiwis celebrated, and how they felt.
Many found it difficult to rejoice after so much loss and suffering.
You’re welcome to come along and learn all about the end of World War Two with us.
Exhibition
The Mighty Hercules
The Mighty Hercules exhibition is on in the Cochrane Gallery upstairs in our atrium. Come and visit and learn all about this extraordinary aircraft.
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Update
Overseas visitor charge
A $15 entry charge was introduced for all international visitors to the Air Force Museum of New Zealand from 31 March 2025. Tickets available online or from our Welcome Desk on arrival.
The charge is required to cover rising costs and to contribute to our new $20 million extension to house the newest members of our collection – our historic Hercules and Orion aircraft.
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Our Aircraft
Explore AircraftMore to explore
FINAL FLIGHT: Here's a fascuinatingreminder of the final flight of NZ4203, our Lockheed P-3K2 Orion, back in September 2021, from our photo archives.
According to the captain's windscreen, NZ4203 took off at 1040 hours, performed a series of flypasts over Hobsonville, Whenuapai, Ohakea, Christchurch and Woodbourne before its final landing at 1345 hours.
The second picture was taken as it flew over the Air Force Museum of New Zealand at Wigram on its way north to Woodbourne.
The Orion, which completed 27,000 flying hours over its 54-year career with No. 5 Squadron RNZAF, was dismantled at Woodbourne and trucked by road to our museum at Wigram in 2023, where it was reassembled and has been conserved for the generations to come.
You can learn about our plans to build it a new home alongside the C-130H Hercules NZ7001 here: airforcemuseum.co.nz/home-for-heroes
And can watch our documentary about its history here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFz#HomeForHeroese#RNZAFoes #rnzaf ... See MoreSee Less
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DENMARK CALLING: We've just hosted a visit by aviation writer Rune Bolle, editor-in-chief of Danish magazine FLYV.
Rune saw coverage of the landing of our C-130H Hercules Charles last year, and decided he wanted to drop by to write a story about us while he is visiting downunder.
He spent two days with us, photographing our collection, meeting our fantastic guides and touring the museum and our Peter Adamson Conservation Centre.
Rune's other claim to fame is he's manager of Samsø International Airport, pictured.
He extended a warm welcome to any Kiwis interested in flying in to 'cosy' Samsø, which is only 20 minutes flying time from Odense, Kalundborg or Aarhus Airport and about half an hour from Roskilde or Billund.
Landing fees are a reasonable 120 Danish Krone or $32.50. It is important to check in first because the airfield is on reclaimed land is sometimes under water after heavy rain.
Rune has been visiting New Zealand for many years and he says Kiwis have a lot in common with Danes - we're all big fans of C-47 Dakota and C-130 Hercules aircraft which served our#flyvt#samsoeinternationalairportyv #samsoeinternationalairport ... See MoreSee Less
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Come again anytime 😊
Rune Balle Det er vist dig :-P
WELCOME BACK WAL! We recently hosted R1/81 recruit course for their 45th anniversary.
The young recruits, who all met at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, meet every five years, usually in Blenheim, once at Ohakea, and this year at the birthplace of the RNZAF at Wigram.
The group included a mixture of ground trades including aircraft mechanics, avionics, medics, comms, logistics, admin trades, and engineering officers and their partners.
And among them was Doug 'Wal' Wallace.
Wal has been immortalised as one of our museum figures.
During his long RNZAF career Wal (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) was an advocate for biculturalism and has been the manager of the RNZAF's marae at Ohakea since it opened in 2016. He also helped us develop our Te Reo Māori name - Te Whakairinga Mutu, which means the last posting.
Wal continues to work as an NZDF civilian, and he's clocked up 45 years in total in uniform and as a civilian.
Ka pai Matua Wal, thanks for all your support for our museum.
And welcome R1/81 - thank you for your service and for visiting your museum. ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you for showing us through It’s an honour to be a R1/81 person Great bunch You team were fantastic
Thank you for taking our photos - we R1/81ers are very proud of Wal and his achievements (and the achievements of the rest of the course). I was very impressed with the Wall of Honour, where two of our course are sadly mentioned.
Complete legend and gentleman. An absolute privilege to serve with Wal.
How many years was the tie worn Wal?
Looking good Bill Tillick! Niki Robinson, is that Derek in the centre of the '81 photo? x
Kia ora Wal
81, Dad would have been at Whenuapai.
Bronwyn Campbell
Too much Wal awesome bro ♦️
Good man Wal
It was a pleasure meeting Wal
Thank you Air Force Museum of New Zealand for taking R1/81ers under your wings to give us the ultimate guided tour. We are in awe of your museum, and for those of us who served at RNZAF Wigram it was a coming home I know Ill never forget. It was both humbling and an honour to see how much time and intricate detail has gone into the preservation of such iconic relics. Including our very own Wal, we are all so very proud of everything he has achieved throughout his service, as we are with all of our course family. The wall of honour holds deep respect, and heartfelt sadness for us, a timely reminder of all those who lost their lives whilst serving our Airforce, and as Jill Renton mentioned two of those are R1/81 family. Forever in our hearts and thoughts, Lest we Forget.
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