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

The calm before the show. Corsair 48 on the flight line of our recent Warbirds on Parade airshow on March 10th. It was a stunning sunrise 🌅 👍 📸 Brian Amerasinghe 📍Ardmore Airport #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #corsair #fg1d #voughtchance #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #yak#instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
The Roaring Forties returning from the recent Classic Flyers Aero Day 2024 with Ardmore Airport in the distance. 📸 Paul Johnston #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #harvard #northamerican#aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
CORSAIR FLYING TODAY! Corsair NZ5648 will be flying today (Sunday 14th) with takeoff at 1100am. Come down to NZ Warbirds at Ardmore and check it out. #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #corsair #fg1d #voughtchance #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #ifyouseeknz
Battle of Britain Flypast✅. It’s always privilege to commemorate such an historic day in aircraft of the same era. Did you see us? 📷Rob New #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #lestweforget #battleofbritain #harvard #northamerican#aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
Good news for NZ warbird enthusiasts with the confirmation that the FG-1D Corsair ZK-COR took to the skies yesterday after a 6 year hiatus in storage. Newly rated Corsair pilot Frank Parker took this picture yesterday of his view flying the historic fighter to Omaka from Hood Aerodrome. We can’t wait to see this aircraft performing at airshows again! It’s been long over due. #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #corsair #fg1d #vought #voughtf4ucorsair #harvard #northamerican#aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #ifyouseeknz
Another photo from Warbirds on Parade 2023. Strikemaster 72 in the hands of pilot and owner Charles Davies showing off those classic Blunty lines. 😍 It has been awesome having this machine on display at NZ Warbirds at Ardmore while it has received some maintenance from the team at Pioneer Aero. 📷 @bertscoolpics 📍Ardmore Airport #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #bac #strikemaster #jetprovost #aerobatics#aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa ##pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ #viper
#epic “Because I was inverted” 😎 Top side of P-51D Mustang ZK-TAF flown by Graham Bethell from our big Kings Birthday show as captured by Neville Bailey. 📷 Neville Bailey 📍 Ardmore Airport #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #northamerican #p51 #p51mustang #mustang #p51dmustang #aerobatics #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa ##pioneer #purenz #ifyouseeknz
Mellow Yellow? Harvard 78 flown by Jeff Hunter at last Sunday’s Warbirds on Parade. 📷@sierra_tango_uniform @stu_65 #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #aerobatics #harvard #t6 #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa ##pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
Achtung! Spitfire!🔥 MH367 banking tight at Warbirds on Parade 2023. 📷 @sierra_tango_uniform @stu_65 📍 Ardmore Airport #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #supermarinespitfire #supermarine #spitfire #aerobatics #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa ##pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ #merlin
It almost doesn’t look real 👀 But it is! Albatros DVa replica ZK-ARS captured by Paul at our recent Warbirds on Parade airshow. What a great show! 📷Paul Johnston 📍Ardmore Airport #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #ww1 #albatros #aerobatics#aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
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