What's on at Air Force Museum of New Zealand
Latest from the museum
Birthday Parties
Mission: Best birthday ever
Zip up a flight suit, grab your dog tags, and dive into a fully hosted birthday “mission”. From air & sea adventures for preschoolers to rescue and cadet challenges for older children. Our Programmes team runs the activities, the children get awesome photo moments (and party bags), and you can add catering through our café.
Book a birthday party
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.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
Our Aircraft
Explore AircraftMore to explore
SHE'S BACK! It has been a while Tania Crawford!
Tania joined the RNZAF at Base Woodbourne in 1987, and then trade trained as a publications specialist at Wigram in the very building our museum now stands in.
She left the air force in 1990, but not RNZAF life. She was a dependent for the next 30 years, with the majority of the time spent at Bulls, just down the road from RNZAF Base Ohakea.
Tania's blue through and through.
"I joined the RNZAF because it was known as a great place to train,'' she says.
"I made life-long friends and what I learned helped me go on to get good jobs in civvy street.''
These days she works as a medical receptionist, and she says her colleagues are well aware of her military ways.
"I like everything at work to be organised and a bit regimented - I think everyone can tell I was trained in the armed forces!''
Tania's favourite base is Woodbourne - where she was posted twice - and her favourite aircraft is the mighty McDonnell Douglas Skyhawk.
Thanks for your visit Tania and for your RNZAF service! ... See MoreSee Less
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Why has it got 3 ejection seat warning triangles
GULF WAR ONE: Back in March 1991 the RNZAF's No. 40 Squadron was deployed to the Gulf as part of Operation Desert Storm.
Fast forward 35 years, and the RNZAF's No. 40 Squadron has deployed again, this time to help with evacuations as Operation Epic Fury rages in the region.
Read Simon Moody's blog on what happened first time round.
airforcemuseum.co.nz/blog/operation-desert-storm-the-rnzaf-and-the-gulf-war-1991/
Image 1: Crew of No. 40 Squadron Hercules NZ7003. Believed to be at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
L-R: Back; Flight Sergeant Bruce Melvin, Sergeant J Buchler, Wing Commander Robert Henderson (Detachment Commander and aircraft captain)
Front; Flying Officer Kevin McEvoy, Sergeant Ty Cochran, Flying Officer M Morgan.
Image 2: Flight Sergeant Stephen Skudder (left) and Flight Sergeant Daryl McGifford (right) discussing details of their next mission in front of No. 40 Squadron Hercules NZ7003. AlQaismah Airport, Saudi Arabia.
Image 3: Sergeant Phil Lane, wearing a gas mask and carrying a Steyer rifle, on security duty on the tarmac in front of No. 40 Squadron Hercules NZ7003. Believed to be at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Image 4: Kidnap victim No. 75 Squadron Mascot Henry Fanshaw lands at Riyadh. ... See MoreSee Less
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Read our Research Curator Simon Moody's blog on the RNZAF's role supporting Operation Desert Storm here: airforcemuseum.co.nz/blog/operation-desert-storm-the-rnzaf-and-the-gulf-war-1991/
(Deployed to the Gulf). Its the Persian Gulf chaps, please use the correct and historical name.
Actually, Gulf War 2 (at least). The first was the one between Iran and Irak
Old Bruce, top man and by recall a dead ringer for Fred Schneider of the B52’s 😂😂🍻🍻
We sent 4 Hercs 90% of the Fleet! could've sent 6 newly upgraded Kahu A4's they would have been quite effective, as more advanced avionics than RAF Tornadoes at the time.
Who have that navigator a gun? 🤣
Has it ever been revealed how many spare parts and repairs were involved with this deployment. Perhaps an engine or two, don't be shy its not top secret. Yet l support the idea NZ sent a boat anchor to a sinking ship
Was this a special scheme? or the green green grey scheme?
So when a Herc deploys does it have its own ground security ?
Photos by Paul Stein.
This is rediculous nz does not have a real airforce any more ..the shame of this lack of support and the reliance on australia and usa for el cheapo cover ...hang ur head nz we are scroungers
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CONGRATULATIONS SARGE! It was a proud day for our team member Sergeant Zach Hollis and his family last week when he was presented with the New Zealand General Service Medal (Korea) by Deputy Chief of Air Force Air Commodore Peter Gibson.
Sergeant Hollis earned the medal in 2024 when he was posted aboard HMNZS Aotearoa during an 'Operation Whio' three-month patrol.
The Aotearoa patrolled off the coast of the Korean Peninsula where North Korea and South Korea are technically still at war after 76 years. The Aotearoa was there to detect and deter evasions of United Nations Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions against North Korea.
At the time he was an aircraft technician, looking after a No. 6 Squadron Kaman Seasprite aboard the Aotearoa.
Zach has served in the RNZAF for 12 years, including six years with No. 6 Squadron at Whenuapai.
He joined our museum team as an RNZAF reservist last year and his skills are a great addition to our Peter Adamson Conservation Centre team.
He’s currently working on a Tiger Moth – which is a wee bit different to keeping a
Seasprite serviceable on a long patrol 9,600km from home in the world’s never-ending war zone!
No less stressful though – Tiger Moths are tricky beasts.
Zach is pictured with Air Commodore Gibson, his wife Charlie and his parents Joce and Kit.
#rnzaf #operationwhio #kamanseasprite #no6squadronrnzaf ... See MoreSee Less
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Congratulations Zach! Well deserved x
Congratulations Zach! Deserved honour.
Well done Zach!!
Yes Zach Hollis
Congrats Zach 😊
Congratulations!!!
🙏🇮🇳
Shot Zach!! Well deserved
Congratulations
Congratulations well done 👏
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