New Exhibition
Victory!
This year marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
A new exhibition, called Victory, marks this significant milestone in world history, and the story of the RNZAF.
Victory includes images and memories of Victory in Europe (VE) 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. While it was a day to celebrate, there was still a war in the Pacific to fight.
You’re welcome to come along and learn all about VE Day with us. The exhibition is on in our upstairs balcony in the atrium.
New Exhibition
The Mighty Hercules
We are delighted to let you know that our latest exhibition, the Mighty Hercules, is now open. Come and visit and learn all about this extraordinary aircraft.
Learn More
#Extraordinaryaircraft
Help us build a home for our #extraordinaryaircraft
Our Lockheed C-130H (NZ) Hercules and P-3K2 Orion have had long-term preservation work completed so they can be safely stored while we work on plans for a new permanent exhibition space large enough to house them.
Measuring 29.8m from nose to tail, with a wingspan of 40.5m and a tail soaring to just under 11m high, the Hercules is too large for our current exhibition halls. The Orion is almost as tall and even longer – stretching to 36m thanks to its submarine-detecting tail boom.
Learn More
Update
New charge for overseas visitors
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.
We were sorry to have to charge after being free for so many years, but the charge is required to cover rising costs and to contribute to our new $16 million extension to house the newest members of our collection – our historic Hercules and Orion aircraft.
Learn More
Our Aircraft
Explore AircraftMore to explore
YOU CAN'T PARK THERE MATE! Today's entry dates back to 1980, when NZ6208 came to a sudden stop with some front wheel difficulties.
No harm done, but you definitely can't pa#ycptmre mate!
#ycptm ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
And then in 92 it's engine flamed out over sea off wairarapa and crashed
I was there
That'll buff out
Bob Janek
NAME THE AIRFIELD COMPETITION: Get your glasses on and tell us where this New Zealand airfield is.
The picture was taken during World War Two so it may have changed over the years!
Winning entries go in the draw to win this winter’s most popular mug – the Air Force Museum of New Zealand roundel special.
It is round with roundels!
Write your answers in the comments below or, if you prefer to play your cards close to your chest, you can email communications@airforcemuseum.co.nz.
The winner will be selected under RNZAF police supervision.
PS: We will post again when we have a winner, inviting you to contact us. WE WILL NOT CONTACT YOU DIRECTLY! If someone attempts this, it is likely to be a scam. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Guadalcanal. Aren't you glad I didn't post 'Ardmore'.
Too my people saying Ardmore. I'm gunna buck the trend and throw a spanner in the works. That's definitely RNZAF base Nelson during WW2...
Ardmore home of the grande Prix before pukekohe.
Airfield road to the right with the famous kink and Mullins road bottom 100% Ardmore
Flew model A/C there with Air New Zealand aero modelers, also flew the A37 Cessna Dragonfly out of those runways. What memories
Looks like Ardmore.
Ardmore Airfield Built during World War II for the USAAF this facility was designed to serve as a base for fighter aircraft. However, it was never utilized for that purpose and was instead taken over by the RNZAF which operated Corsair fighters from the site.
Looks like Ardmore
Looks like Ardmore.
Ardmore, the south east apron stacked with aircraft, likely Corsair’s.
As someone who has spent way too much time looking at current and historical birds eye views of airports/aerodromes/airfields, it's definitely Ardmore.
*checks comments for answer…* Ardmore!
Ardmore. Three hangars in the middle giveaway for me now gone.
Ardmore. Always recognisable today when flying over it coming in or leaving Auckland airport
I say Ardmore, I have flown out of there many times, although 60 years after this photo
The current Tower is on the site of the middle hangar in the middle of the photo. Betsy, the DC3 ties down on the concrete pad on the site of the right hand hangar ( by the current tower) and the sound shell is on the site of the left hand hangar.
It is Ardmore. I can see our current hangar there- the middle one at the top. The two on each side are still there as well. Great photo!
Wow, what an epic photo! My guess is Ardmore Aerodrome in Auckland - does anyone know what year this was taken?
Definitely Ardmore, know that layout and roads around it, done the bend in Airfield Rd a few times!
Flown one or two circuits here, and a few overflights in the years after that. Has definitely changed its appearance over the decades, but very recognisably Ardmore (NZAR). Still home to NZ Warbirds, No. 4 (Ardmore) Squadron, Air Training Corps, Avspecs and a number of flight training organisations. Great shot!
Paraparaumu airport built in ww2 by nzaf
Watched Stirling Moss race and win the NZ Grand Prix Back there in the day at at Ardmore.
Ardmore. Would be keen to know the exact date. I believe ardmore wasn’t made until 1943
What planes were based there at that time???
Ardmore. I remember an aircraft parked on a hedge on the western approach in the 70s.
View more comments
I SAY! On the lookout for something fantastic to do on a cold Saturday morning?
Want to tuck up warm with a classic movie and learn a bit of history at the same time?
Join Collections Manager Darren Hammond at 10am today for a special talk and screening of the aviation cinema classic, the Dam Busters.
Learn all about the Kiwi connections to the famous bouncing bomb raid on the Möhne, Eder, and Sorpe dams in Nazi Germany.
Hailed as a cinematic classic, The Dam Busters was also a box office buster - it was the most successful British film of 1955.
Darren started his working career at the RAF Museum in London and has been in the aviation heritage sector for more than 35 years.
His aim is to give the audience insights into the stories behind the controversial raid, as well as the film which immortalised the story.
And watch out for Curated Cinema: The Battle of Britain in July.
No need to book and we will have cushions to make you comfy.
This is the 1955 version and contains offensive language.
#bombercommand #dambusters #rnzaf ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
A couple of years ago I offered your museum the loan of my classic war film poster collection, for a public exhibition. Including this and many other WW2 british productions. Although you declined, stating it wasn't really your thing, maybe it's something you'd like to look at again in the future?
I'm in the UK on holiday and just saw this beauty.....good timing!
Happy new year!
Mark Matariki today by expanding your mind with an Air Force Museum of New Zealand hunt.
Follow the clues and the symbols to crack codes as you put together everything you need to create a manu tukutuku (kite) to celebrate Matariki.
As usual it’s a brain-teaser with three different levels to suit all ages and skill levels.
We're open from 9.30am until 4.30pm today - come on down!
Happy hunting!
#matariki #maorinewyear #christchurchnz ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook