– Why we need a new exhibition hall
– A forever home for icons of service
– A place to learn, remember, and explore
– The campaign: A national effort for national icons
– Your support makes this possible
Preserving the C-130 Hercules & P-3 Orion for Aotearoa
For decades, the C-130 Hercules and P-3 Orion carried out some of New Zealand’s most important missions — delivering aid, protecting our oceans, supporting science in Antarctica, rescuing people in danger, and representing Aotearoa around the world.
These aircraft are national taonga (treasure)and deserve a permanent home where their stories can continue to inspire future generations.
Why we need a new exhibition hall
The Hercules and Orion are currently in temporary storage — too large for our existing buildings and far too significant to remain unseen.
To care for them properly, we are building a fit-for-purpose, purpose-built Exhibition Hall engineered specifically for the scale and conservation needs of these aircraft.
This new facility will protect them long-term and allow New Zealanders to experience them up close.
A forever home for icons of service
The new Hercules and Orion Exhibition Hall will be:
- Fit for purpose — designed to safely house two of the RNZAF’s largest and most significant aircraft
- Sustainable — built with long-term environmental and energy efficiency in mind
- Accessible and welcoming — ensuring visitors of all ages and abilities can explore and learn
- Experience-rich — featuring immersive storytelling, interactive displays, and personal accounts from those who served
Visitors won’t just see the aircraft — they’ll connect with the people, missions, and stories behind them.
A place to learn, remember, and explore
The new exhibition hall will:
- expand our highly regarded and engaging education programmes for tamariki and rangatahi
- provide new opportunities for community and corporate events
- strengthen Christchurch as a cultural and heritage destination
- create a national space for remembrance, learning, and exploration
It will also be the only place in the world where an RNZAF Hercules and Orion can be viewed together — a unique experience for all New Zealanders and visitors to Aotearoa.
The campaign: A national effort for national Icons
We are raising $20 million to build this permanent home. Christchurch City Council has already committed $5 million, recognising the project’s national and community value.
Christchurch City Council is thrilled to support the Air Force Museum of New Zealand with a $5 million contribution toward the development of a new exhibition hall to house the Orion and Hercules aircraft.
These iconic aircraft aren’t just symbols of New Zealand’s aviation history—they’re national treasures that have proudly served our country.
This investment helps preserve a key part of our heritage, boost the local economy through tourism and education, and pay tribute to the legacy of service and excellence these aircraft represent.
Your support makes this possible
Your donation will:
- preserve and protect these remarkable aircraft
- safeguard an important chapter of New Zealand’s aviation history
- inspire future generations through free education and STEM learning
- share remarkable storied of bravery, service and sacrifice
Now is the moment. Will you help us protect this heritage?
