1 / 3New Zealand Warbirds Association
📍 Ardmore, Auckland
The New Zealand Warbirds Association at Ardmore Airport is a working aircraft museum — historic aircraft from the early 1900s to the 1970s, many of them still flying. Volunteer-run; visitors can get close to exhibits. Adventure flights available; annual airshow in March.
An AMAZING display of planes, pre and post war, all lovingly maintained. This is a privately owned museum, and for its small size, it makes up for it in its heart and pride. We arrived at 2.30pm, just near closing time, but the volunteers were very welcoming to us. They brought us around the 2 hangars and even explained the details of each and every plane in their display. We loved this museum and they even had a small dress up section for small kids to dress up as a pilot for photo opportunities. Thank you very much for the lovely afternoon!
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for kids and adults with an aviation interest, plus families wanting an authentic, hands-on aircraft museum rather than a polished tourist attraction. Reviewers consistently call out the volunteers as knowledgeable and passionate. The annual airshow (March) is a major event; adventure flights are bookable separately.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →393 Google reviews
Fun Kwok
a year ago
“An AMAZING display of planes, pre and post war, all lovingly maintained. This is a privately owned museum, and for its small size, it makes up for it in its heart and pride. We arrived at 2.30pm, just near closing time, but the volunteers were very welcoming to us. They brought us around the 2 hangars and even explained the details of each and every plane in their display. We loved this museum and they even had a small dress up section for small kids to dress up as a pilot for photo opportunities. Thank you very much for the lovely afternoon!”
Richard Seymour-Wright
a month ago
“A great little aircraft museum with flying aircraft ranging from the early 1900s to the 1970s. A very helpful and passionate team of volunteers keep the place working and offer excellent insight into the different aircraft. You will rarely be able to get as close to the exhibits as this place! There store has a good range of merch and this helps fund their activities. Please remember that most of the aircraft on display regularly fly, so please don't touch or bump into the exhibits.”
Karen Braddock
8 months ago
“My dad flew a tiger moth back when he was 19 (now 82,) so a real aircraft enthusiast. He had a smile from ear to ear+the stories he told. It was good value for money+ you could tell the ones that were there on a voluntary basis loved it+were very knowledgeable on all the aircraft. Well setup, too.”
Amy Downs
4 months ago
“Excellent staff/volunteers. Brian was so knowledgeable and had a real passion for aircraft’s. So much history and a wide range of planes would definitely recommend aircraft enthusiasts go here! Cost effective for what it’s worth!”
Reviews from Google
Overview
NZ Warbirds Association is based in Hangar at 824 Harvard Lane, Ardmore Airport, south Auckland. The association maintains and flies a collection of historic aircraft from the early 1900s to the 1970s — Tiger Moths, Harvards, and others. Visitors can get unusually close to the exhibits. Volunteer-led tours, regular Tarmac Days and Hangar Talk events, an annual airshow in March, and an adventure-flight programme (including Yellow Harvard flights with aerobatics). Group tours available for clubs, schools, and community groups.
