A Vision for the Future

Announcing the redevelopment of the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum, Wanaka, Central Otago, New Zealand.

The New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum is a significant heritage facility for New Zealand, housing unique artefacts of national and international significance. As well as being a compelling reminder of significant events and periods in New Zealand and world history, the Museum is also a major tourism attraction with a 100% rated Qualmark accreditation. It is important both nationally and internationally as part of a network of museums presenting aspects of military history and has close ties to like museums around the world.  
 
The current facilities available to the Museum are not adequate to provide for the needs of the growing collection of memorabilia and artefacts, do not meet current museum standards, or provide the level of visitor experience demanded of a modern museum.  
 
For some time now the Trustees have been considering development concepts which will ensure the Museum continues to meet the standards required of a modern museum and visitor attraction.  
 
The proposed development and displays, will provide new ways of interpreting the lives and stories of those men and women who have served their country, in a context that makes them accessible to all visitors, family members, educational groups etc. 
 
The concept document we now have represents the culmination of an exhaustive process to refine the Museum’s development to meet its ongoing needs. Indications are that the development and vastly improved location and visibility should see visitor numbers double from the existing 25,000 per annum and with additional promotion over 3 to 5 years reach a targeted 75,000 per annum. This is believed to be a realistic aim with Wanaka’s increasing base of permanent residents and rapidly increasing tourist traffic. At that level the Foundation and Museum will be truly sustainable and renewable on a long term basis. Realistic? The Trustees consider this is the case when the visitor numbers for Wanaka’s most high profile visitor attraction are presently 170,000 per annum. 
 
The New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum is a registered Charitable Trust whose annual financials are audited.  
 
Total projected costs are in the order of $10 million. Any funds raised surplus to requirements of the current development will be targeted at static restoration examples of aircraft relevant to the Museum.  
 
The New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum is seeking: 
Interest from major sponsors at varying levels for funding and an ongoing partnership. 
Donations at all levels: 
- by cheque posted to PO Box 218, Wanaka 
- by credit card at the Museum online shop www.nzfpm.co.nz. 
 
Contacts:  
 
Chairman Mr Don Spary 
donspary@xtra.co.nz 
Phone: 03 442 1857 
PO Box 9 
Arrowtown  
 
Director Mr Ian Brodie 
ibrodie@nzfpm.co.nz 
Phone: 03 443 7010 
PO Box 218 
Wanaka