What's on at Air Force Museum of New Zealand
Latest from the museum
Latest 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 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. The exhibition is on in our upstairs balcony in the atrium.
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.
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#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.
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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.
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.
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Our Aircraft
Explore AircraftMore to explore
TANIWHA KEI RUNGA: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori this week we’re explaining the meaning behind the te Reo Māori in the mottoes of air force squadrons.
No. 490 (NZ) Squadron’s motto proclaimed ‘Taniwha Kei Runga’ or the ‘taniwha is in the air’ – a marvellous motto for the Coastal Command squadron flying large flying boats - first Catalinas and later Short Sunderlands.
Formed in March 1943 in West Africa, No. 490’s job was to fly its giant taniwhas across lonely stretches of the North Atlantic escorting convoys, hunting enemy ships and submarines and carrying out search and rescue missions.
The squadron flew its last operation in May 1945.
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ATTENTION TEACHERS – ASTRONAUT INBOUND!: We’re delighted to let you all know we’ve got 60 spaces for students and teachers interested in coming along to hear a talk by Axiom Space Chief Astronaut Michael López-Alegría on Tuesday 7 October at 10am in our Theatre.
Michael’s presentation will be aimed at science, engineering, technology and maths (STEM) students Year 7 and over and will include a chance for students and teachers to ask questions.
PLLEASE NOTE: This is for schools and students only – we are sorry we can’t open it to the general public - we just don't have the space and his time is limited.
Michael first blasted into space with NASA aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia into 1995, and he completed another two shuttle missions. He has also been into space with Axiom Space and Soyuz and was commander of the International Space Station.
He holds NASA records for the most time spent on space walks, spending a total of 67 hours and 40 minutes outside during 10 walks.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to Spaceward Bound New Zealand and the Consulate General of the United States of America for arranging Michael’s visit.
airforcemuseum.co.nz/events/meet-an-astronaut/
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HIWA HAU MAKA: What better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori this week than by explaining the meaning behind the te reo in the names of the RNZAF’s squadrons?
Today is No. 486 (NZ) Squadron’s turn. 'Hiwa hau maka' translates as ‘beware the wild winds’ and the badge depicts a kea volant (in flight). The name and imagery were chosen to reflect the squadron’s fighting spirit - and we all know keas are scrappy birds!
No. 486 Squadron operated a lot of aircraft with stormy names to live up to the motto.
On formation in 1942 it was equipped Hurricane fighter aircraft, and later Typhoons and Tempests. The squadron disbanded in 1945.
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Des Scott when leading 486 🫡
Fitting motto operating the Hurricane, Typhoon and Tempests 💪
I host talks on this squadron and Desmond Scott at Tangmere Military Aviation Museum. One of the best badges, this shield I have in my office
My Father, Victor Albert Adair Roberts Service Number 414521. Back row far right.
Victor Albert Adair Roberts Service Number 414521 back row third from the right.
Victor Albert Adair Roberts Service Number 414521
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