

Air Force marks 85 years of service to New Zealand
The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), Te Tauaarangi o Aotearoa, celebrates its 85th birthday today.
01 April, 2022
On 1 April 1937 the Air Force Act took effect, formally recognising air power as a critical element of the country’s security. In the years since then, the Air Force has served in military operations from World War 2 and other significant conflicts through to peacekeeping missions all over the world.
Air Force personnel have been part of almost every New Zealand Defence Force deployment, and other operations, including the delivery of humanitarian aid and providing support to the work of other Government agencies, such as fisheries patrols and support to Antarctica.
The Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Andrew Clark, said that the diversity of operations has been enormous.
“We never know what will crop up next, and that has been defining for us – continuously maintaining and honing our skills, to make us a team that can turn its hand and technology to meet whatever challenge we are called upon to face,” he said.
“The RNZAF story has become interwoven with the story of New Zealand itself. Thousands of Kiwis have served with us over the years. Many of our personnel today are related to people who served before them, and thousands more Kiwis have relatives and friends who served, making the Air Force part of their own life story.
“On this occasion, those of us serving in today’s Air Force, and who are building the Air Force of tomorrow, especially honour all those who have served before us and who made the Air Force what it is today: a Service that all New Zealanders can be proud of.”
Flypast information
Updated at 8.30am, 2 April 2022
Some of our Squadrons are conducting flypasts today and over the weekend in honour of our 85th Birthday. The routes overall cover as much of the country as possible and all the flights are subject to weather conditions and aircraft availability.
Friday, 1 April 2022
Three-ship Texan aircraft
- 1020 Hamilton CBD
- 1040 Taupō
- 1105 New Plymouth
NH90 and A109 helicopter
Leaving Base Ohakea at 1300 and travelling North to Whanganui and then down to Pukerua Bay, orbiting above the majority of cities/towns/settlements on the way through.
C-130H(NZ) Hercules aircraft
Flying around lower North Island, heading South in the afternoon.
P-3K2 Orion aircraft
Leaving Base Auckland around 0930 and travelling over Waiheke Island, Coromandel, Hamilton, Taupō, Rotorua, Tauranga, Te Araroa, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay (approx. 1145).
Saturday, 2 April 2022
C-130H(NZ) Hercules aircraft
Leaving Dunedin approx 1100 and heading North over Palmerston, Oamaru, Omarama, Twizel, Tekapo, Timaru, Geraldine, Ashburton, Darfield, Oxford, Amberly, Hanmer Springs, Cheviot, Kaikōura, Seddon, Blenheim, Picton and Hokio.
2x SH-2G(I) Seasprite Helicopters
Depart Base Auckland at approximately 1030 flying over Auckland CBD, Silverdale, Snells Beach, Warkworth, Wellsford, Mangawhai Heads, Whangarei, Ngunguru, Helena Bay, Other Bay, Paihia, Bay of Islands, Kaikohe, Kerikeri
Depart Kerikeri at approximately 1400 flying over Taupo Bay, Coopers Beach, Kaitaia, Rawene, Hokianga Harbour Mouth, Dargaville, Helensville and back to Base Auckland
Sunday, 3 April 2022
C-130H(NZ) Hercules aircraft
Leaving Christchurch at approx 1200 and flying over Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru, Ranfurly, Alexandra, Cromwell, Queenstown, Lumsden, Te Anau, Tuatapere, Invercargill, Bluff, Gore, Tapanui, Clinton and Balclutha.
Air Force Heritage Flight of NZ (1x Avenger, 2 x T6C Texan II, 1x Spitfire)
- 0930 Ōhakea
- 0935 Feilding
- 0940 Palmerston North
- 0945 Woodville
- 0947 Pahiatua
- 0953 Masterton
- 1002 Trentham
- 1005 Lower Hutt
- 1008 Wellington
- 1020 Blenheim
- 1022 Woodbourne
- 1040 Kaikōura
- 1105 Amberley
- 1110 New Brighton
- 1113 Wigram
- 1115 Christchurch
- 1400 Christchurch
- 1405 Rangiora
- 1420 Hanmer Springs
- 1445 Nelson
- 1513 Paraparaumu
- 1518 Ōtaki
- 1522 Levin
- 1525 Foxton
- 1530 Ōhakea


Brotherly link draws on emotions at Anzac service
Media Release

NZDF support to Ukraine’s self-defence underway
Media Release

Surreal experience for Great-Grandson of Gallipoli veteran
Media Release

Navy medic strengthens whānau link to Gallipoli campaign
Media Release

Emotional return to Gallipoli for Anzac Day services
Media Release

NZDF marks Anzac Day at home and around the world
Media Release
Anzac Day marks 40 years of NZDF service in Sinai
Media Release

Unclaimed 28 (Maori) Battalion medals identified
Media Release

Twenty two Light Armoured Vehicles sold to Chilean Navy
Media Release

RNZAF Hercules departs for Europe
Media Release

Flight to ice completes NZDF’s Operation Antarctica for summer season
Media Release

Air Force Heritage Flight takes off
Media Release

Two former RNZN Inshore Patrol Vessels sold to The Republic of Ireland
Media Release

Former Defence Chief passes away in Wellington
Media Release

Change of Command for Devonport Naval Base
Media Release

NZDF to begin drawdown from MIQ
Media Release

NZDF Leadership puts gender equality firmly in its sights
Media Release

Combined Space Operations Vision 2031 Statement released
Media Release

21-gun salute for Jubilee of Queen’s accession
Media Release

NZ Navy's new replenishment vessel sails on maiden voyage to Antarctica
Media Release

NZDF ready to assist West Coast communities
Media Release

NZDF support to Tonga continues to deliver
Media Release

Bamyan firing ranges clearance completed
Media Release

NZ Navy leadership ends Arabian Gulf mission with $15M drug bust
Media Release

NZDF’s support to Tonga Response ramps up
Media Release

NZDF support to Tonga: 17 January
Media Release

Holiday drug bust by Kiwi-Led Navy operation in Arabian Sea
Media Release

Three NZDF personnel recognised in New Year Honours List
Media Release

Meri Kirihimete from the New Zealand Defence Force
Media Release

Interceptions by NZ-led naval task force seize $US26 million in illegal drugs
Media Release
NZDF personnel deploy to Solomon Islands as part of inter-agency stability mission
Media Release

RNZAF Hercules transports PPE, medical supplies to Papua New Guinea
Media Release

NZDF ship, aircraft help ensure Pacific fishing rules are followed
Media Release

NZ tops global transparency rating for Defence and security sector
Media Release

Bravery and compassion from Australian Bushfire Assist deployment commended
Media Release

United States Navy Ship to visit New Zealand
Media Release

Expert Review Group Report Released
Media Release

RNZAF Orion crew find missing Kiribati sailors
Media Release

NZDF investigates alleged Auckland border breach
Media Release

New Zealand-led operation seizes drugs in Indian Ocean
Media Release

Pronounced safety focus for RNZAF and CAA during Māori Language Week
Media Release

NZDF exercises with international counterparts in South East Asia
Media Release

Personnel deployed on Afghanistan evacuations return to New Zealand
Media Release

NZDF boosts Wellington drive-through vaccination effort
Media Release

Air Force Veteran and New Zealand's oldest person passes away
Media Release

New Zealand Army's role in evacuation mission involved 'bravery on both sides'
Media Release

Navy personnel and accommodation facility test negative for COVID-19
Media Release

Statement from the Chief of Defence Force: Media Reports
Media Release

First 'Lead Teams' leadership programme underway in Tonga next week
Media Release

Statement from the Chief of Defence Force regarding situation in Afghanistan
Media Release

Delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to Palmerston Island completed
Media Release
Air Force Hercules in US for international exercise
Media Release

Royal Canadian Navy frigate to visit Auckland
Media Release

Delivery of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to Tokelau complete
Media Release

Buller Flood Support
Media Release

RNZAF carries out medevac from Antarctica
Media Release

RNZAF carrying out low-flying around Manawatū, Rangitikei & Whanganui
Media Release

Bamyan firing range clearance passes halfway point
Media Release

Chief of the NZDF announces awards for Whakaari White Island response
Media Release

NZDF continues to assist in Canterbury flooding response
Media Release

2020 Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence
Media Release

Statement by Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Kevin Short on the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Media Release

Two NZDF personnel test positive for COVID-19
Media Release
