1 / 3Sir Keith Park Memorial Aviation Collection
📍 Western Springs, Auckland
The Sir Keith Park Memorial Aviation Collection is an outdoor display of historically significant aircraft at Western Springs, within the MOTAT precinct. Veteran volunteers and surviving crew members share first-hand accounts.
A nice park in the middle of the runabout within MOTAT Aviation area. Just a very short walk from the tram station, MOTAT Aviation Hall, and the MOTAT parking spaces. Have a few benches hidden behind the bushes, under the aeroplane statue. Seems to be the favourite lunch time for MOTAT's staff members; it actually one of my favourite spot too.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Older children and teens who can engage with history come away with stories they don't get from a museum label — spending time with a veteran who flew the actual plane on display is a rare experience.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →61 Google reviews
Alex Tjahjana
2 years ago
“A nice park in the middle of the runabout within MOTAT Aviation area. Just a very short walk from the tram station, MOTAT Aviation Hall, and the MOTAT parking spaces. Have a few benches hidden behind the bushes, under the aeroplane statue. Seems to be the favourite lunch time for MOTAT's staff members; it actually one of my favourite spot too.”
Debbie Edwards
2 years ago
“I spent more than 2 hours with 2 of the volunteers - amazing courageous veterans and the actual crew of the sun lander on display (navigator & pilot) and they graciously gave me some awe-inspiring stories and inside stories on the planes on display. PS I’ll send through the zero photo this week.”
Blanche Mclean
7 years ago
“This is an amazing venue to host an event. I attended an event here recently and was really wowed by the surroundings. It was really really cool. All the aeroplanes were incredible. If you are hosting an event then definitely check this place out”
Kathe K.
3 years ago
“Beautiful, previously deadly planes. I felt badly for the mostly men who flew those planes into combat not knowing if they’d return.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Located within the MOTAT precinct at Western Springs, this outdoor collection displays rare and historically significant aircraft including WWII-era planes. Volunteer guides include veterans and actual crew members from aircraft on display — reviewers describe spending two or more hours hearing personal stories and inside knowledge. Benches are available throughout. The collection is a short walk from the MOTAT tram stop and main car park. The space has also been used for private evening events.
