School Holiday Programme

Embark on your next adventure during the school holidays!

Van Gogh Alive

From 19 February 2021

Van Gogh Alive is a multi-sensory experience to entertain the whole family, a unique opportunity to fully experience Van Gogh’s artistry, and truly immerse yourself in his world.

Contact Cafe

The perfect space to take a break during your Museum visit. Open Monday to Sunday 9:30am – 3:30pm.

Shop

Browse our fantastic range of aviation-themed gifts and products in the one-stop-shop for aircraft enthusiasts of all ages! Every purchase directly supports the work we do to preserve and share New Zealand’s military history.

Explore our collection

Aircraft

Discover New Zealand’s premier military aviation collection.

Still life featuring a negative, light meter, gloves and a magnifier. Air Force museum of New Zealand.

Photographs

Browse digitised parts of our photograph collection online.

Exhibitions

Captured!

Follow the journey of a prisoner of war in Europe during World War Two in this interactive exhibition which will engage visitors of all ages.

Victory!

On 15 August 1945, the most destructive conflict in human history finally ended, with Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day). This photographic exhibition, featuring images drawn from our archives, is a record of that momentous time, when the nation celebrated and our Air Force began the gradual transition from war to peace.

Read our Blog

Sergeant Phil Lane, wearing a gas mask, on security duty on the tarmac in front of No. 40 Squadron Hercules NZ7003. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb-Mar 1991. Image ref PD14-2-91, RNZAF Official.

Remembering Operation Desert Storm: the RNZAF and the Gulf War, 1991

By Simon Moody | 18/01/2021

30 years ago, operations against Iraq ended with the conclusion of Operation Desert Storm. During this brief but decisive conflict, RNZAF personnel were deployed in support of the wider Coalition against Iraq’s dictator, Saddam Hussein, and his forces.

No. 3 Squadron RNZAF 'Helimeet 90' team mascot, 'Crazy Kiwi', now in the collection of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.

The story of ‘Crazy Kiwi’

By Jason Sim | 06/01/2021

Thanks to the power of social media, we’ve been able to uncover the story behind this little Kiwi, who came into our collection wearing a Royal Air Force uniform.

Group of airmen receiving Christmas dinner, served by officers, as is traditional at Christmas time. Bougainville, 1944. Image ref PR4676, RNZAF Official.

An Air Force Christmas

By Louisa Hormann | 22/12/2020

This small selection of Christmas stories, drawn from our archives, reflect the different experiences of men and women serving their country at Christmas time. Sometimes funny, occasionally sad, they all reflect how important this time of year is to service people and their families, both at home and abroad.

Salvage party with the wreck of Vildebeest NZ102 at Wigram, 23 February 1939. Image ref ALB20084682034, Air Force Museum of New Zealand.

Piecing together the history of Vildebeest NZ102

By Simon Moody | 02/12/2020

The service history of our Vickers Vildebeest is punctuated by some remarkable stories, but uncovering them can be a research challenge. This is some of what has been found so far and how it was done.