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

German Air Force visit

27 November 2025

Story Collection

Landmark exercise with German Air Force delivers benefits for New Zealand

27 November 2025

Ops & exercises

NZDF top safety award recipient leads from the front to keep people safe and operational ready

21 November 2025

People

Lease and livery developments for RNZAF Boeing 757 replacements

21 November 2025

Capability

No. 6 Squadron – Vigilance with Patience

21 November 2025

Capability

Tohu Awards celebrate part-time Defence commitments

19 November 2025

Organisation

Five Eyes strategic navy talks conclude in Wellington

14 November 2025

Partnerships

RNZAF returns to Fiji and takes opportunity to show MC-12K King Air capability to Tongan military

13 November 2025

Ops & exercises

New Zealand Defence Force ready for high-risk weather season

11 November 2025

In the community

Physical restrictions can’t ground RNZAF Aviator of the Year

06 November 2025

People

NZDF psyche programme finds favour in Vietnam

06 November 2025

Partnerships

German Air Force on training visit to New Zealand

04 November 2025

Partnerships

Op Whio

03 November 2025

Ops & exercises

NZ Army’s Marlborough exercise switches from evacuation to combat

23 October 2025

Ops & exercises

NZDF ship and aircraft deploy to Indo-Pacific region for operations and exercises

22 October 2025

Ops & exercises

Group photo of students in blue t-shirts in the rear ramp of a Hercules aircraft.

Hercules lights up Cook Islands Blue Light course

21 October 2025

Partnerships

Royal New Zealand Air Force T-6C Texan II fleet hits milestone

17 October 2025

Capability

'Job done and more' - NZDF winds up Exercise Tropic Twilight in Cook Islands

13 October 2025

Ops & exercises

NZ Army and RNZAF test high-readiness interoperability

10 October 2025

Ops & exercises

Exercise in disguise: Moving for mental health

09 October 2025

Life in service

Military Police roll out new fleet of vehicles across the force

03 October 2025

Capability

Tactical flying training for hostile environments

03 October 2025

Ops & exercises

RNZAF helicopters break another flight record on journey from Australia

30 September 2025

Capability

NZDF throws weight into Cook Islands infrastructure work

23 September 2025

Ops & exercises

Seasprite helicopter transported for duty in Asia

19 September 2025

Capability

Sir Keith Park statue unveiling in Thames marks Battle of Britain anniversary

17 September 2025

Our Heritage

RNZAF NH90s complete longest flights over water

12 September 2025

Ops & exercises

Three people push a trolley full of cargo in front of a large grey aircraft.

NZDF delivers essential items to remote PNG areas

11 September 2025

Partnerships

Air Cadets get glimpse into the future at Exercise Wise Owl

10 September 2025

In the community

NZ Army personnel wearing orange high visibility shirts carry out construction work under blue skies.

NZDF to lead multi-national engineering team in Cook Islands

09 September 2025

Ops & exercises

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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