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
HOME FOR HEROES: The Air Force Museum of New Zealand is creating a purpose-built Exhibition Hall to house two of our nation’s iconic aircraft, the C-130 Hercules and the P-3 Orion.
These aircraft have served New Zealand with distinction for decades, supporting rescue missions, disaster relief, military operations, and countless moments that shaped our history.
For the first time, visitors will be able to see these incredible aircraft side-by-side, explore their stories, and experience their scale up close—completely free to the public.
Early support is crucial to bring this vision to life. Every donation, big or small, helps us get closer to opening the doors.
Let’s give our heroes the home they deserve!
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Hopefully shopping in the museum online shop also supports the fundraising effort 🤭. It's a good shop!
CHINO KIWI: Thinking of a holiday in the California Republic?
There’s a rare bird with an important Kiwi connection that awaits you if you do.
After you land at Los Angeles Airport hire a Cadillac and get on the freeway and you’ll find the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino a little over an hour down the road.
One of the stars of the collection is Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless serial number 28536 – also known as NZ5062.
The Dauntless, pictured at Chino with our volunteer guide Alan McDonnell, his son John and grandson Levi in the early 2000s, was built at El Segundo, California and delivered on 18 June 18, 1943.
Following shipment to Espirito Santo, the aircraft was assigned to the RNZAF’s No. 25 Squadron on Bougainville and it flew more than 30 combat missions.
In May 1944, it transferred to the US Marine Corps and it served with six different Marine and US Navy squadrons.
After the war, it was sold to film company Warner Bros, where it appeared in several movies, including the movies Midway and War and Remembrance. Legend has it that Charlton Heston sat in it!
It was acquired by the Planes of Fame Air Museum in 1959 and restored to flight in 1987.
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Mark Crapnall and I reskinned the wings.
35 years ago when at Chino with Ian Brodie and the late Ross MacPherson it was both a joy and privilege to have a flight in NZ5062. John Maloney was the pilot. Trevor Bland was with us and I believe it was Trevor who had the 'link' with Planes of Flame to achieve this. The experience will remain in my special memory bank for ever!
In 1945 the RNZAF had 1336 combat air craft. This doesn't include RAF aircraft flown by NZ crews. NZ pilots were 3rd biggest group of pilots in Battle of Britain after UK and Poland.
We've been there Nicole Littlejohn. It was where the NZ rebuilt Mosquito was being displayed.
I remember seeing this as a wee lad before it was restored. Even then I realised the significance of this aircraft.
I saw it back in 1990 while on a tour organised by Ian Brodie
I saw it in 1980 when it was parked long with others in the “yet to be restored” part of Chino. You could just make out the kiwi narrow fin flash and “62”
A special aircraft being such a rare survivor. Had the pleasure of getting in the cockpit about 25 years ago.
Seen in May this year. Great to see her airworthy.
An aeroplane I’d love to see in person. How cool!
Shame it wasn't restored to NZ livery
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BASE KID: Meet Richard Niven, who flew all the way from Wellington to take part in one of our Heritage Festival walks.
Richard and his brother Jim (who flew from Auckland for the walk) grew up at Wigram. Their dad Jock was an airframe and engine engineer from 1938 until 1965, and their mum Natalie was in the Womens’ Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) during the war.
She met Jock in the RNZAF, and Natalie’s photo features in our WAAF display.
So, with dad in the RNZAF, and mum a former WAAF, there wasn’t a lot of career choice for Richard!
He joined the RNZAF and served for four and a half years, learning to fly at Wigram.
When the Niven boys saw the walks were happening as part of the Christchurch Heritage Festival, they booked their flights so they could get together and re-live those years on base as 'dependents' from 1952 until 1958.
“It brought back lots of good memories,’’ Richard says.
“And lots of stories from growing up on base but also from my training years.’’
Thanks for your service, for sharing your memories and for visiting.
We will be organising walking tours again as part of the Heritage Festival next year.
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