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

New Air Force Chief begins role

03 October 2023

People

75 years of Defence First Aid competition

03 October 2023

Life in Service

A Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules in Antarctica sitting on the ice.

Summer season gets under way for NZDF's Operation Antarctica

28 September 2023

Media Release

Textbooks wing their way to Fiji

27 September 2023

Media Release

New Military Working Dog facility opens in Ohakea

20 September 2023

Capability

PTI training heats up in the Middle East

20 September 2023

People

RNZAF NH90 crew deliver record number of traps into Ruahine Range

19 September 2023

In the community

Invictus Games 2023

19 September 2023

Story Collection

RNZAF Jazz Orchestra navigates new path with second album

13 September 2023

Media Release

Growing connections in disaster preparation exercise

01 September 2023

Ops & exercises

Air Force technician Leading Aircraftman Sarah Lockwood takles world champs

Air Force technician tackles world champs

30 August 2023

People

Great Barrier rescue among Defence recognition awards

25 August 2023

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.

Poseidon expands its fisheries surveillance to Western Pacific

24 August 2023

Ops & exercises

More than 20 fishing vessels inspected during New Zealand-led South Pacific fisheries patrol

17 August 2023

Ops & exercises

Flight Lieutenant Tyler Ngapo standing infront of the King Air aircraft

King Airs prove their worth on maritime patrols

16 August 2023

Capability

NZDF delivers generators to Niue

14 August 2023

In the community

An RNZAF C-130 Hercules has gone to Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, carrying aid supplies following a volcanic eruption

New Zealand sends aid to autonomous region of Bougainville after eruption

11 August 2023

Our Region

NZDF troops have been honing their warfighting skills during Exercise Talisman Sabre 23 in Queensland, where they worked alongside forces from 12 other nations

Talisman Sabre hones NZDF's readiness for combat

08 August 2023

Ops & exercises

Medic, mum, and brain tumor survivor

07 August 2023

People

RNZAF NH90 helicopter flying after temporary pause

03 August 2023

Media Release

Royal New Zealand Air Force and U.S. Air Force firefighters fist bump prior to conducting a joint live-fire training exercise during Mobility Guardian 23 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

Kiwis shine as global exercise wraps up

01 August 2023

Ops & exercises

NZ Army soldiers clearing buildings as part of an offensive action during Exercise Talisman Sabre

NZ troops, LAVs and NH90s go on the offensive in Exercise Talisman Sabre

28 July 2023

Ops & exercises

Royal New Zealand Air Force firefighter Leading Aircraftman Te Waiora Pirikahu poses in front of Andersen Air Force Base fire appliances

Whanganui Air Force Firefighter relishes Guam experience

28 July 2023

Ops & exercises

Royal New Zealand Air Force medic, Corporal Heidi Joseph from the Aeromedical Evacuation team on-board a Royal Air Force aircraft during Exercise Mobility Guardian 23.

RNZAF medic gains emergency training alongside partner nations in multinational exercise

25 July 2023

Ops & exercises

NZDF personnel and platforms have arrived in Australia ready to take part in the 10th and largest iteration of Exercise Talisman Sabre, involving around 30,000 personnel from 11 nations.

NZDF mobilises for largest-ever Exercise Talisman Sabre

21 July 2023

Ops & exercises

The former Farmlands building on Cumberland Street is destined to become the home of three NZDF units which are currently in separate Dunedin locations

NZDF consolidates Dunedin-based military facilities in one building

21 July 2023

Organisation

Poseidon fleet complete

20 July 2023

Capability

Corporal Haybittle on his windfoil, a blue board with a mat travelling down to the water and a red and white kite on top. He is pulling the shaka and is wearing a black helmet, glasses and wetsuit.

Air Force Tech flies above the waves

18 July 2023

People

Four firefighters two in grey suits holding a red hose, and two in black suits, with yellow helmets tending to the shell of a Seasprite helicopter used in the exercise to simulate an aircraft crash.

Helicopter crash exercise hones rescue response

18 July 2023

Ops & exercises

A Royal New Zealand Air Force aviator looks out the window of a Royal Air Force A400M Atlas during a familiarisation flight over Hawaii during Mobility Guardian 23. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Pick.

NZDF strengthens airpower alongside partner nations In multinational exercise

13 July 2023

Ops & exercises

See all stories

We are the Royal New Zealand Air Force – Te Tauaarangi o Aotearoa

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. As such, we are a modern and dynamic part of the Defence Force. We’ve got the right equipment to perform our primary 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 used for both training and operations.

Aircraft

Meet our leaders

About our structure

Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb

Chief of Air Force

Air Commodore Ian Mower

Deputy Chief of Air Force

Air Commodore Andy Scott

Air Component Commander

Warrant Officer Kerry Williams

Warrant Officer of the Air Force

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