Guided Museum Tours

Discover the story of Te Tauaarangi o Aotearoa – New Zealand’s Air Force
at the place where it all began.

Located at the former Wigram air base, the Air Force Museum of New Zealand houses a world-class collection of more than 30 classic military aircraft and countless other taonga/treasured objects across 7000m2 of museum space.

Our guides love sharing incredible kiwi stories with visitors from around the world! We offer two guided tour opportunities for tour groups; head ‘behind the scenes’ and view aircraft, engines and restoration projects not normally accessible to the public, or be guided through collection highlights in our public galleries and exhibition halls. Both are great ways to discover the stories that have shaped New Zealand’s military aviation journey.

Heritage Tour: A 60-minute guided tour to learn more about us as Museum, Wigram as a base, our work behind the scenes, including aircraft, vehicles and engines (only accessible to tour groups). Your guide will take you on a walk through the Aircraft Hall, get you up close and personal with the Bristol Freighter transport aircraft with an exclusive access walk through and then on into the Peter Adamson Conservation Centre to view our current conservation projects, followed by a tour through our Reserve Collection space.

Highlights Tour: A 45 minute tour beginning with our Aircraft Hall which includes highlights such as Johnny Checkett’s crashed Spitfire engine, VIP Douglas Dakota NZ3551, which transported Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her coronation tour of New Zealand in 1953-54, as well as Avro 626 NZ203, which is the oldest surviving complete RNZAF aircraft. Don’t miss the historic newsreel films, projected in large-scale, which bring RNZAF history to life. Spend time looking through the Horizon to Horizon gallery at your leisure and then on through to the Therese Angelo Wing for further aircraft discoveries.

After a guided tour, you’re encouraged to explore the museum at your own pace, fly a simulated mission in a World War Two de Havilland Mosquito, take time out in the café or explore the Museum Store.