We’re a force for New Zealand

We’re a force for peace and security

We’re a force for those in need

We’re a force for good

We’re a force for our communities

Inside the cockpit of a C-130 hercules, three aircrew members with headset on navigate a blue and cloudy sky

Evacuees board a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H(NZ) Hercules aircraft at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. NZDF personnel stand at the ramp of the aircraft to support them and provide security

A C-130 Hercules aircraft carries out a load drop during an exercise

In the foreground a young child smiles while sitting on his bike out of excitement seeing the Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter flying in the background. It's a sunny summer day with some cloud and dry grass.

Latest Stories

Support to Middle East region

26 June 2025

Story Collection

Commander US Space Command visits New Zealand

27 June 2025

Partnering

A uniformed RNZAF aviator stands in a line of other uniformed aviators - they are looking at the camera and smiling. The others are looking to the left of the camera and are out of focus.

Wellington-born teacher swaps classroom for Air Force

27 June 2025

People

An aviator in camouflage holding a MARS-L smiles at the camera in front of large dark green tents.

Former senior Air Force aviator embarks on new career as officer

24 June 2025

People

RNZAF building up for major combat exercise in Australia

13 June 2025

Ops & exercises

Competing to be combat ready

10 June 2025

Ops & exercises

Two uniformed aviators look at a map in the bush. The image has a very green feel - green uniforms and green surrounding bush. One aviator is looking down and you can't see their face. The other, only the side of their face (they have camo on). The image

Leadership training the final test for our newest RNZAF Officers

06 June 2025

People

A number of uniformed military personnel stand in a room with lights on looking at various computer screens.

NZDF joins 30-nation space-focussed military exercise

29 May 2025

Ops & exercises

Nh90 helicopters line up on the flight line in cloudy weather. The ground is also wet. Aviators in uniform and helmets stand with thumbs up and arms out towards the aircraft.

RNZAF NH90 fleet’s software upgrade a world first

28 May 2025

Capability

A helicopter loadmaster in full Air Force uniform including a flight helmet looks out the side of the aircraft to snow-capped mountains.

RNZAF and Police team up for search and rescue training in Marlborough mountains

23 May 2025

Partnering

Seven of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s NH90 helicopters fly in the sky over green land. The sky is very cloudy and grey. The image of the aircraft is taken from behind so the perspective is the back of al the aircraft.

RNZAF NH90 formation flight: A maintenance success

22 May 2025

Capability

Three aviators in Air Force uniform stand with arms crossed in front of a large grey jet-powered aircraft under blue skies.

How Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon crews train for disaster

21 May 2025

Ops & exercises

Great Grandparents serve as inspiration for Manurewa aviator

14 May 2025

People

TYCCO Air Force P8 image only 2460x1000px 6

Support is in the DNA of NZDF in new Defence Recruitment campaign

14 May 2025

Organisation

NZDF joins large South Pacific disaster exercise as new response group starts work

14 May 2025

Partnering

Anzac Day 2025

14 May 2025

Story Collection

RNZAF joins in on Australian submarine-hunting exercise

12 May 2025

Partnering

A fiery Five Eyes relationship is sparked

07 May 2025

Partnering

An aviator looks directly at the camera with a smile wearing his RNZAF uniform. In the background you can see a brick wall with sunlight on it and then a shadow directly behind the person.

Whanganui man chooses variety in career with RNZAF

07 May 2025

People

An aviator stands armed crossed looking at the camera in a flying suit.

Auckland aviator awestruck by Antarctica as RNZAF continues aerial support to ice

07 May 2025

People

Flying Kiwi joins Aussies in monitoring North Korean sanctions

06 May 2025

Ops & exercises

Aircraftman Kodi Barlow completed the 12-week recruit course at Base Woodbourne

New Plymouth local follows in footsteps of military family

05 May 2025

Media Release

A SH-2G(I) Seasprite Helicopter helicopter hovers over HMNZS Aotearoa

Defence Force receives operating funding boost

05 May 2025

Capability

Orca sightings and the last sunset on Operation Antarctica

02 May 2025

People

CPL Adam Brown with the Governor-General of New Zealand Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro stand side-by-side looking at the camera

Aviator honoured with bravery award

01 May 2025

People

Ice mission never gets old, unless it's in your whisky

01 May 2025

People

Aircraft Technician training on the horizon for Cambridge aviator

30 April 2025

People

Family and concrete: Palmerston North man aims for skies as helicopter loadmaster

29 April 2025

People

Side view of a P-8A Poseidon, a large grey jet aircraft with landing gear down as the plane prepares to land on a cloudy day.

New Zealand contributes Poseidon to North Korea sanctions monitoring

29 April 2025

Ops & exercises

Air Force Medic of the Year

28 April 2025

People

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Te Tauaarangi o Aotearoa - Royal New Zealand Air Force

We provide New Zealand with responsive and effective air power to meet its national interests. We are an agile and adaptive Air Force with the versatility essential for New Zealand Defence Force operations. We have the right equipment to perform our roles: airborne surveillance and reconnaissance, combat, and air mobility. 

Learn more about what we do

We are a force of highly trained professionals.

We come from all walks of life and share a strong sense of what it means to be Kiwi - our culture is based on our values Tū Kaha (courage), Tū Tika (commitment), Tū Tira (comradeship) and Tū Maia (integrity). Together, we are Force for New Zealand and are proud to serve Aotearoa and its diverse communities.

More about our people

We operate a number of different aircraft types for both training and operations. 

Aircraft

Meet our leaders

About our structure

Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb

Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Commodore Daniel (DJ) Hunt

Air Commodore Andy Scott Air Component Commander

Air Component Commander, Air Commodore Andy Scott

Warrant Officer of the Air Force, Warrant Officer Guy Lipsham

Considering a career in the Air force?

A big part of our work in the Air Force involves assisting communities affected by conflict or natural disasters. The fact that we work to protect and help people is one very good reason why we're so passionate about what we do. It gives our lives real meaning and purpose.

Find out more