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

NZDF enacts rules around civilian harm reports Feb 2021

NZDF Person of the Year 2022

People

A grey aircraft on the ice in Antarctica. The aircraft has a white box around the right wing.

Recovery from the ice

Capability

Seven award winners wearing black blazers, dresses and pants and white shirts stand in a line, they smile at the camera with their awards.

NZDF Sports Awards 2022

People

An aerial photo of a small boat with off Kiribati with three men on board.

RNZAF Orion crew find two missing fishing boats in five-day pacific mission

Media Release

A large whale and a smaller whale swim together in blue water, taken from above.

Press the switch if you see a whale

Capability

Art in Recovery Workshop

Organisation

RNZAF trains alongside Republic of Singapore Air Force at Base Ohakea

Ops & exercises

Leading Aircraftman Scott Endres wearing a baseball cap, camouflage uniform with a red cross on his left arm, tends to a person on the ground in a field.

Hamilton man hits high spots in military medics competition

People

RNZAF Aviator Of The Year Selection Recognises ‘Outstanding Performance’

People

Warrant Officer Annie Clarkson says the Rainbow Warriors photo exhibition at the National Army Museum will extend over summer

Rainbow Warriors: Waiouru Army Museum telling NZ military’s LGBTQ+ stories

Media Release

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 Andrew Clark
Chief of Air Force

Air Commodore Ian Mower
Deputy Chief of Air Force

Air Commodore Shaun Sexton
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