About Us - NZ Warbirds

About Us

dedicated to restoration, preservation and operation

In New Zealand, as in many countries the world over, service aircraft have been the introduction to flying and aviation for thousands of young men and women. Many such pilots have gone on to establish careers in civilian flying long after their military service so, in many ways, these aircraft form the very backbone of our country’s aviation history.

About Us - NZ Warbirds

Group of pilots gathered beside a line-up of Corsairs at RNZAF Station, Ardmore. RNZAF Official

NZ Warbirds was originally conceived by the late Trevor Bland who in June 1978 organised a meeting of interested parties with a common goal to establish an association to restore, fly and enjoy aircraft of an historic nature with a connection to the Royal New Zealand Air Force.  The newly formed association boasted two aircraft at the time, a Chipmunk and an Auster but soon to follow was the addition of the first kiwi warbird, a wartime RNZAF Harvard trainer NZ1092 (ZK-WAR).

About Us - NZ Warbirds

Our associations first warbird, ex RNZAF T6 Harvard NZ1092 (ZK-WAR), still flies under the NZ Warbirds banner. Here it can be seen (foreground) flying with a Supermarine Spitfire and a Curtis P-40 Kittyhawk (background) which also are part of the association.

From our humble beginnings forty years ago, we now have a membership close to 600 with a mixture of active pilots and aviation enthusiasts all with a desire to see these aircraft fly for generations.  Although our organisation was started to preserve ex-RNZAF aircraft, this has been expanded to include any type due to the successful introduction of service aircraft from all over the world including Russian, German and Chinese types. British and American aircraft never seen in service here also figure prominently!

About Us - NZ Warbirds

Former RNZAF A-4K Skyhawk NZ6209 on the flight line at Ohakea. “09” is one of many service aircraft that is preserved by the association.

The Association does not aim to glorify war.  Its objective is to provide the wide range of skills and support necessary to see these grand old military and historic aircraft preserved in flying condition.  Our NZ Warbirds at Ardmore collection at Ardmore Airport provides an educational resource unrivalled in the warbird sphere.  Not only does it house former Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) aircraft, it also has an aviation library complex and comprehensive squadron history displays.

About Us - NZ Warbirds

NZ Warbirds patron and founding president the late Trevor Bland AFC, MNZM (left) talking with aviation legend General Chuck Yeager

Associations

NZ Warbirds is in active contact with like-minded organisations nation-wide and represents the interests of the warbird movement on aviation consultancy groups within New Zealand.  We work closely with the organisers of world class events and significant commemorative occasions such as:

Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Art Deco Festival – Napier

Classic Fighters – Blenheim

Classic Flyers – Tauranga

Royal New Zealand Air Force

RSA

Warbirds Over Wanaka – Wanaka

Wings over Wairarapa – Masterton

Our Team

President
Frank Parker
Vice President
John Kelly
General Manager/Secretary
Kim Parker
Treasurer
Chris Tennent-Brown
Operations Manager
Mark Helliwell
Chief Flying Instructor (CFI)
Dave Brown
Deputy CFI
Dean Beverley
Safety Manager
Blair Sims
Maintenance Controller
Milton Donovan
Committee MembersBen Shaw, Blair Sims, Brett Nicholls, Chris Tennent-Brown, Colin Goult, Greg Morris, Leanne Butler, Liz Needham, Mike Curwood, Mike Watson, Paul Liddington
About Us - NZ Warbirds

Frank Parker is the current president of the NZ Warbirds Association. He flies a number of aircraft types including our Kittyhawk, Mustang and Harvards as well as the expanding WW1 fleet.

  • Enjoyed watching the airshows. Never saw anything like that before! Would really recommend it and it's worth the ticket.

    sheemalshivani December 2022

  • Wow, thats an amzing day full of discovery and nature. Loved the cruise! You guys rock.

    Mike McVey Gisborne NZ

  • Lovely cafe with a great view of all the planes taking off. The museum guides are super friendly and my son absolutely loves coming here. Highly recommended.

    Dianechen10 February 2020

  • Fantastic opportunity to get up close to some of the icons of New Zealand’s aviation history - with the majority being flyable examples. Knowable guides to fill in any gaps in your own knowledge. Topped off by an amazing scale model collection.

    MarkR986 October 2020

  • Interesting guided visit around the War Birds Facility, get up close to the war planes. Beautiful display. Would suggest combine with a visit to the Auckland Botanical Gardens. A Great Auckland Day Out.

    Sandra S February 2020

  • Amazing collection of aircraft. Lovely staff and well worth the drive from Auckland .if lucky enough to be at the weekend, you may see the incredible aircraft flying.

    274peterr December 2022

@nz_warbirds

It’s been 14 years since this beauty took to the skies for its 1st post restoration flight after a 5 year restoration. How time flies😁 Painted in the colours of Alan Deere, NZ second highest scoring ace, Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX PV270 is based at at RNZAF base Ohakea. 📷 Paul Johnston 📍Omaka Aerodrome, New Zealand #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #spitfire #merlin #supermarine #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ #history #supermarinespitfire #restoration
AIRSHOW TIME! Yes, the rumors are true. We are excited to announce that Auckland’s local AIRSHOW is back this June!😁 ✈️WARBIRDS ON PARADE 📆Sunday 04 June 2023 📍Ardmore Airport, Auckland, New Zealand. Join us for a day of aerobatics, formation fly pasts and aerial displays. See New Zealand’s aviation heritage where it belongs – in the sky. ⏰Flying display slots at 10:30am | 12:30pm | 2:30pm (gates open at 9:00am) Static aircraft, classic cars and military vehicles on display. Merchandise and refreshments will be available🍟️🥤 The perfect outing for the whole family👨‍👧‍👦 Pricing and ticket details will be announced when live. Follow us on Facebook or visit our website to keep up to date with details such as ticketing and aircraft announcements as they come. Mark it on your calendars and we will see you there👍 Note this will be our only show for 2023. #KeepEmFlying #Airshow #WarbirdsOnParade #VisitAuckland #purenz #airshow #spitfire #mustang #aviation #flight #show #nz #auckland #newzealand #mustdotravels #events #warbirds #avgeek
ZK-TAF cruising. P-51s are cool 😎 #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #mustang #p51 #gopro #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #reels #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #auckland #ardmore #VisitAuckland #IfYouSeekNZ #instagood #p51mustang #picoftheday
#repost No explanation needed. Steadfast is just too cool!😎 This high-performance Yak 3U-R2000 holds nine world records including the under 3000kg World Speed Record at 416 MPH!✈️ 📷 @mike_gannaway 📍 @wingsoverwairarapa #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #yakinthebox #yak3u #aerobatics #yakinthebox #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #auckland #ardmore #pioneer #VisitAuckland #ifyouseeknz
It is with sadness that we learn of the passing of Max Collett, aged 99. He was the last surviving New Zealand Spitfire pilot from the Second World War and flew with No. 485 (NZ) Squadron RAF. The @royalnzairforce will be conducting a Spitfire fly-past at the venue for Max's Memorial Service on Friday 6th January. The Spitfire will depart Ohakea at 10:50 and is expected to be overhead the Beth Shan Funeral Home in Napier at the conclusion of the service around 11:30 to 11:40. Blue Skies✈️ #rip
Flying out of 2022 like…. Happy New Year to all our followers and supporters 🎉🍾🥳 #2023 #happynewyear #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #spitfire #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #auckland #ardmore #pioneer #VisitAuckland #IfYouSeekNZ #love
#flashbackfriday P40 Magic✨ Earlier in the year when 2x P40 Kittyhawks flew together at Ardmore. Such a great day! #avgeek #warbird #aviation #curtis #p40 #kittyhawk #formation #restoration #nzwarbirdsatardmore #onlyatardmore #nz #newzealand #keepemflying #pioneer #aero #airplane #aeroplane #alison #v12 #horsepower #airshow #display
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