1 / 3Air Force Museum of New Zealand
📍 Wigram, Canterbury
The national RNZAF collection at Wigram — aircraft, uniforms, engines, and personal stories spanning 100 years. Guided internal workshop tours, an interactive supply-drop simulator, Victory and POW exhibitions, and school holiday family hunts.
Great place to learn about the air force history in New Zealand. They have many aircrafts in display and in excellent conditions. The internal tour costs $5 and it is well worth it. The guide is very friendly, knowledgeable, and able to answer all sorts of questions regarding museum artifacts. One also gets a chance to enter the workshop and see the state of current restoration and maintenance projects as well as other aircrafts that are not currently in public display. Great experience!
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for school-age children and aviation-curious adults. The guided workshop tour earns its fee and takes around ninety minutes. The museum hunt in school holidays keeps children actively engaged across the full floor space. NZ residents pay nothing at the gate.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →2,274 Google reviews
Juan Carlos Santamaria
a month ago
“Great place to learn about the air force history in New Zealand. They have many aircrafts in display and in excellent conditions. The internal tour costs $5 and it is well worth it. The guide is very friendly, knowledgeable, and able to answer all sorts of questions regarding museum artifacts. One also gets a chance to enter the workshop and see the state of current restoration and maintenance projects as well as other aircrafts that are not currently in public display. Great experience!”
Steve Warne
5 months ago
“I've been to the museum several times over the years and it continues to evolve and add exhibits. Mind you I do miss the Canberra bomber that used to be a major attraction. The staff are helpful and entry is free. The aircraft on display are very interesting and have history with NZ including the Skyhawk, Spitfire, Mustang and DC3. Apart from the planes there are hundreds of other exhibits and a small gift shop.”
K H
2 months ago
“Came here on a rainy day and paid $5 to do the kids hunt, which took us an hour and a half. There are some very cool planes on display and the exhibitions are well worth a read like the Victory and POW ones. The interactive areas are fun too, like the one where you can drop supplies off. Cafe on-site as well.”
FridgeIT Moments
5 months ago
“It is a must-visit for anyone curious about aviation or history. You can freely explore the area, and the displays are informative and impressive. Educational, engaging, and inspiring — a true gem! Totally FREE!”
Reviews from Google
Overview
The Air Force Museum of New Zealand holds the national RNZAF aircraft collection at the site of the air force's first operational base in Wigram, Christchurch. Displays include aircraft, uniforms, engines, and personal stories. A guided internal tour enters the restoration workshops. The Victory and POW exhibitions are consistently cited as standouts. An interactive supply-drop simulator and family museum hunts run in school holidays. Free entry for New Zealand residents. Free parking on site.
