Situated in one of the most beautiful parts of the South Island of New Zealand is an amazing collection of airworthy World War II fighters. Wanaka Airport is host to the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum which was established by aviation enthusiast Sir Tim Wallis.

The Aircraft The Alpine Fighter Collection began in 1984 with the purchase of a rebuilt P51D Mustang from the United States of ... Read more... The New Zealand Aces Our museum is dedicated to all New Zealand fighter pilots. Because it is not possible to display photographs and combat ... Read more...

Latest News 28 Sep 2009: The Air New Zealand in-flight magazine (Kia Ora) has published an article on Wanaka in their August 2008 issue. Within that article they visit the museum. Read more... 16 Feb 2009: The NZ Fighter Pilots Museum shows its support for the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign. Read more... 9 Jul 2008: Once again, New Zealanders are flying the Typhoon in the RAF. Sixty five years after their predecessors flew the Hawker Typhoon, a new breed of Kiwi pilot are in the ... Read more... 15 Aug 2006: Ten years after becoming one of the first aviation museum websites on the Internet, the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum is proud to announce the redevelopment of their ... Read more... 15 Aug 2006: Announcing the redevelopment of the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum, Wanaka, Central Otago, New Zealand. Read more...

Featured Article Flying the Rata by Mark Hanna This article, written by the late Mark Hanna, is the third in a three part series, and was © 1998 Classic Wings Downunder magazine. Read more...

Museum Redevelopment

There are exciting times ahead for the NZ Fighter Pilots Museum. A total redevelopment has been commenced which will see us shifting to a new building in 2011. We invite you to visit our Latest News Page which will keep you up to date with progress on the Museum Redevelopment. 
 

About the Museum

The New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum's main purpose is to honour and record the history of New Zealand Fighter Pilots and their crew and to educate the public about their history. 
 
Established in 1993, the museum became a charitable foundation with a Board of Trustees on the 1st January 1995. 
 
Displays at the museum include photographic boards that cover the history of both the Royal New Zealand Air Force & the New Zealand squadrons of the Royal Air Force, as well as information on the life of a fighter pilot and the many and varied roles they undertook - especially during World War II. Personal stories, medal displays, weapons, and unique personal collections of memorabilia, are complimented by state of the art audio visual presentations. 
 
Biographies and photos of New Zealand's 95 fighter aces (12 in WWI, 83 in WWII) are displayed. 
 
The museum displays flyable aircraft and currently features an airworthy Hawker Hurricane Mk IIA. Static display aircraft include a replica SE5A World War I fighter and de Havilland FB5 Vampire. Visiting aircraft are also on display from time to time, including a beautifully restored airworthy P51D Mustang and Lavochkin La-9. 
 
Warbirds Over Wanaka - the major warbird airshow of the Southern Hemisphere is held biennially over Easter. The next is in 2010. 
 
Guided tours are undertaken for groups - by former World War II fighter pilots when available, and there is a Souvenir Shop for aviation-related purchases. 
 
Further displays continue to be added - the latest being a major exhibit depicting New Zealand fighter pilots in the Battle of Britain and during the Fall of Germany. 
 

Museum Hours

The New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum is open seven days a week from 9-00am to 5-00pm Last admission time is 4-00pm. Closed Xmas Day. 
 

Admission Costs

Adults: $10-00, Children: $5-00, Family: $25-00 (2 adults/3 children), Seniors & Groups: $9-00 (15+) 
 

Getting to the Museum

Wanaka is situated in the Southern Lakes district of the South island of New Zealand and is easily accessible from the major cities of the South Island as well as, internationally, from many countries of the world. 
 
With direct flights from Asia, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and the Pacific Islands you can be in Wanaka within two hours of your arrival in New Zealand. 
 
The closest major airport is Queenstown (one hours drive from Wanaka). There is one regular Air New Zealand flight into Wanaka daily. 
 
We are 5 hours drive from Christchurch and 3 hours from Dunedin to Wanaka Airport, which is 12 kilometres from Wanaka township on State Highway 6, the main West Coast/Queenstown highway. Look for the Warbirds Museum signs. 
 
Wanaka Connexions operate daily coach services from Queenstown to Wanaka and return. 
 
A shuttle service is available from Wanaka township to the Airport. For information, timetable, and bookings Alpine Coachlines