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
THE FIRST GREAT ESCAPE: Most people are familiar with the Great Escape from Stalag Luft III in Poland in 1944, and the Kiwis involved.
But if you wind the clock back 25 years or so to the First World War, you’ll find Kiwi airmen involved in another, and also great, escape.
In a new blog, our Research Curator Simon Moody tells the story of the Great Escape from Holzminden – and the larger-than-life personalities who play a part.
The Kiwis were Trevor ‘Tiny’ White, serial escaper Edward ‘the elusive’ Garland, and Dannevirke’s Edward Warburton. They were up against the cruel camp commandant, Hauptmann Karl Niemeyer, and the battle of wits was ferocious.
Read all about it at: airforcemuseum.co.nz/blog/new-zealanders-and-the-first-great-escape/
#greatescape #worldwarone #escapefromholzminden ... See MoreSee Less
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HERCY NEW YEAR! Come celebrate 2026 with us! We're open from 9.30am until 4.30pm so get on down to see us.
Our Mighty Hercules exhibition - celebrating 60 years of C-130H service - is on upstairs but that's just the tip of the iceberg.
We've got gorgeous historic aircraft to see, free games, hunts and plenty to do for the kids.
Our Contact Cafe is open with coffee and yummy treats for when you need a break from museuming*.
You will find us at 45 Harvard Avenue, Wigram, Christchurch.
*Made up word which means exploring incredible Kiwi stor#freethingstodoinchristchurcho#wigramskiesch #wigramskies ... See MoreSee Less
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What Air Force is the flare photo from?
I'd love to buy a calendar- have you got any left? Happy New Year. 💐
Not sure if Coulson has modified the kiwi hercs yet , but we have had one attacking a fire on the other side of town here in Rockingham , south of Perth
03. Many a trip in that. Most memorable heading to gulf war 1 with 1st Army medical team. Rapid decompression over Aussie. A night in Mt Isa then a low level flight to Darwin.
Photo is when the old C-130H were in service
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CELEBRATE TONIGHT BUT DON'T SMOKE! Here's a cheerful picture to celebrate New Year's Eve and remind everyone that smoking is only for display aircraft.
It dates back to 1988 when the No. 75 Squadron Kiwi Red acrobatic team reigned supreme in the skies over New Zealand.
The RNZAF operated 22 A-4G/K and TA-4G/K Skyhawks from 1970 until December 2001 when they were retired.
Happy New Year to all of our supporters, visitors, volunteers and team members and thanks for a fantastic 2025.
If you'd like to see an RNZAF Skyhawk up close today come along, we�#HappyNewYearo#newyear2026happynewyear #newyear2026 ... See MoreSee Less
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Apparently the only Aerobatic display ( Avalon airshow I think?) to complete a barrel roll while connected to a 'buddy' via a refuelling hose. Much to amazement of onlookers!
If that’s the 1988 team, then it’s the late Roscoe Tanner front and centre as Red 4 ❤️
We actually operated 24 Skyhawks all up. 14 original Ks and 10 Gs.
Why do you, rather than MOTAT, not have the A4 that fired on the foreign ship?
Happy new year to all your team and wonderful work that all do
We didn't have them in my time with RNZAF. I spent half my time on 14 Sqn with the Canberras.
Brilliant shot
Yeah Happy New year to the Team at the (RNZAF - Museum). And also to mention The Teams and Flight Crew at 3 SQN Ohakea Have a safe and wounderful New year may your Traing Year for 2026 be Fabulous . God Bless and Kia Kaha....
My all time favorite aircraft.
They’re not retired..they’re still out there doing work..
Before the dark times, before the Helen...
Shawn AndClaire Smith
One of the best RNZAF air to airs of all time
should of kept them,such a waste
Can you please tell us where this was shot?
Thanks again, Helen
Half were in OZ fully funded , drive.google.com/file/d/17CmKPXkjaU7sGC5-Q9D_O19hdrMq-Stv/view?usp=drivesdk
Just another in a long line of retarded Labour Party decisions.
They weren't "retired" ... Helen Clark and the Labour Govt DISBANDED them. Worst move ever 🤬🤬🤬
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