Long-serving Air Force Museum of New Zealand Trust Board chair Air-Vice Marshal (retired) Peter Adamson has stepped down after 26 years leading the board and has been succeeded by Air Marshal (retired) Kevin Short.
Peter Adamson, who was Chief of Air Force from 1988 to 1992, joined the trust board in 1996, and served as chair since 1999. Over that time the Christchurch museum’s exhibition space has more than doubled in size, its collection has grown to more than one million objects, and visitor numbers have gone from about 40,000 a year to more than 200,000.
Chief of Air Force Air-Vice Marshal Darryn Webb, former Chief of Defence Kevin Short and a host of retired senior air force officers along with museum staff and volunteers gathered in Christchurch on Thursday night to farewell and thank Peter for his remarkable contribution to the RNZAF, the museum and to aviation in New Zealand.
Air Vice-Marshal Webb described how a ‘fresh-faced’ Peter had arrived for initial training school on Tiger Moths at Taieri in 1955 and retired 38 years later as Chief of Air Force.
After a distinguished RNZAF career at the highest level, Peter went on to give another 30 years of service to the nation by supporting aviation causes including the museum and youth aviation.
Kevin Short said Peter’s commitment to the museum and to ensuring it continued to evolve in its role of conserving and preserving the RNZAF’s legacy had been exemplary.
“We thank Peter for giving his time generously, for his intellect and for his outstanding leadership.
“This museum represents 29 years of Peter’s effort. No one will surpass that.’’
In recognition of Peter’s contribution, the museum has renamed its workshop annex the Peter Adamson Conservation Centre.
Peter said there had been many difficult decision and challenges over the years – including Covid and the earthquakes – but an undoubted highlight was taking the decision to raise the funds for an ambitious museum extension in 2012 which had been a risk that had paid off.
He thanked everyone on the board and the team at the museum for their support over the years.
“It has been a long road and I’ve enjoyed every step of it. It has been a thoroughly worthwhile and satisfying journey. I wish everyone all the best,’’ he said.
Incoming chair Kevin Short had a distinguished career as an RNZAF navigator and senior leader before being appointed Chief of Defence Force in 2018. He served until 2024.
He said he was looking forward to leading the museum’s board as it geared up for its next period of growth which included building appropriate spaces for its latest acquisitions, the retired P-3 Orion and C-130 Hercules aircraft.
