Group activities

Bring your special interest or social club group to the museum, and enjoy a unique experience from the options below (minimum group size of eight applies).

Bookings essential, contact the Visitor Experience Team:

• Phone: 03 347 5220
• Email: programmes@airforcemuseum.co.nz

Behind the scenes tour

Take your group on a guided, private tour and discover the work that goes on ‘behind the scenes’ in our restoration workshop and reserve collections area, as well learning more about our historic buildings. This tour can be specially tailored to your group’s interests.

• Running time: 60 minutes
• Location: Atrium, TAW, restoration workshop and reserve collection area and tarmac area.
• Cost: $5.00 per person (under 12 years FREE)
• Book now: programmes@airforcemuseum.co.nz

Museum talks – outreach or at the museum

Our museum talks cover a variety of subjects concerning the history of New Zealand military aviation and the events experienced by service personnel and civilians during times of both peace and war. These presentations make extensive use of stories and objects from our museum collection, and take an informal approach that stimulates discussion and engages the mind. These can be as an outreach visit, or you can visit us.

• Running time: Approximately 45 minutes
• Location: Theatre
• Cost: Free. Koha (donations) are appreciated
• Book now: programmes@airforcemuseum.co.nz

The Anzac Story     

This presentation reflects on the origins of the Anzac story, including the earliest known operations that New Zealand and Australian forces served in together, including Gallipoli. This includes eyewitness accounts of the campaign, and the significance of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance.

Rationing in the 1940s

This presentation highlights the effects of rationing on the New Zealand home front during World War Two. It covers subjects such as ration books, items that were rationed, substitutes to rationed items, and wartime ration packs used by military personnel. A great showcase of how the average civilian, and those who were serving, coped with wartime shortages.

Fashion at war

This talk takes you back to the 1940s, for an exploration of the impact of World War Two on fashion of the time. Drawing on stories and collection items from the Air Force Museum, you will learn how our servicemen and women were dressed and the cunning methods that people invented to keep up appearances.

Defence and deception – the Wigram story

This is the story of Wigram during its time as an Air Force establishment. From the pilot training school at Carr’s Farm in 1916, through the deception plans used during World War Two, then on to the final closure of the air base in 1995 and what is now the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.

Captured!

Hear thrilling stories of escape, evasion and capture, and view genuine escape aids from our collection in this World War Two prisoner of war-themed presentation. Afterwards, take time to visit and explore our ‘Captured!’ exhibition space to get an idea of the conditions those prisoners faced.

Refreshment Options

We can provide a variety of refreshment options for visiting groups, to pre order please contact Contact Café directly on 03 371 9607.

Accessibility

Please click here to find out more about accessibility at the Air Force Museum.