Where to experience the thrill of an airshow in NZ this year
With a busy summer already featuring aviation displays at the bi-yearly airshow, Wings Over Wairarapa and the Tauranga Airport Aero day, there are plenty of aviation events coming up to suit your inner avgeek.
Four Yak-52’s apart of the Red Stars aerobatic team | Photo by Noah Stohr-Waldren
Thames Wings and Wheels - 27 Jan
On the slightly smaller end of aviation events this year, Thames Wings and Wheels is all go for the 27th of January. The event will have plenty of aircraft and vintage vehicles on display as well as many food stalls and Live music. Drawn at 2:45 pm, will be a large prize draw. In the draw, you can win the First Prize of $5,000! The Second Prize: A 15-20 minute flight in a T-6 Harvard, courtesy of Warbirds Limited Adventure Flights, Five vouchers courtesy of The Aviator Experience, Thames or a 15–20-minute flight in a Boeing Stearman courtesy of Warbirds Limited Adventure Flights.
On the ground, ZK-COR New Zealand’s only airworthy Corsair will be on show alongside a WACO YMF from Tauranga and a Stearman which you can win a flight in. From 12 pm, there will be flying displays including the Yak-52 red stars, Harvard displays and several other warbirds will be on show. To find out more about the event and the aircraft attending visit the official Thames Wings and Wheels website.
Omaka Wings & Wheels - 4 Feb
Another smaller aviation event, The Omaka Wings and Wheels is set to take place on Sunday, February 4th. It is set to be an incredible day, full of thrilling aviation and automotive displays, featuring the amazing Corsair as a special guest! The Corsair will be flying alongside other notable aircraft such as the Reno racer, Steadfast, the Harvard, the Avro Anson, and even some WW1 planes. This is shaping up to be a day that you simply can't afford to miss! The event is being held at the Omaka airfield just east of Blenheim. The gates will open promptly at 9 am and the exciting flying program will begin at 10 am.
The event will have a spectacular lineup of aircraft from throughout the ages, both in the air and on the ground. Between flying displays, wander via a magical collection of classic cars. Re-hydrate and refuel at the Omaka Cafe and various guest food outlets. To find out more about the aircraft flying displays check out the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.
The Roaring Forties Harvard display team at Tauranga during an Airshow in 2024 | Photo by Noah Stohr-Waldren
North Shore Airport Open Day - 10 Feb
As the events start to get a bit larger, the North Shore Airport Open Day is planned to be held on the 10th of February with the 11th as a possible “rain day”. While it’s not quite an airshow, this open day is perfect for a family day out or to please your inner avgeek. Gates open at 9 am and you’ll have plenty of time to look around, with the event not ending until 4 pm.
The free-to-enter event will have plenty of food stalls and kids activities. There will also be heaps of aircraft on display and other aircraft offering scenic and trial flights.
Warbirds On Parade - 10 Mar
Aucklands local airshow Warbirds on Parade is back for 2024! It is set to be held on March 10th and you definitely don’t want to miss it. The event will be held at the southern side of Ardmore Aerodrome, near NZ Warbirds Limited. Throughout the day, there will be plenty of air displays during flying slots at 10:30, 12:30 and 2:30. In between the flying displays there will be plenty of ground displays to check out such as the RNZAF Seasprite. To find out more about the airshow check out the NZ Warbirds website.
A top flying display at the airshow will be the Roaring Forties. Flying in ex-RNZAF Harvard trainers is the amazing Roaring Forties, during their formations the aircraft come within 5 metres of each other. The formation was first flown in 1979 over Te Kowhai near Hamilton and has since become a staple of New Zealand airshows.
So far, NZ Warbirds has confirmed the following aircraft will be displayed at the upcoming airshow: Several WWI fighters, NZ only flying Goodyear FG-1 Corsair, Ardmores resident P-40 Kittyhawk, A Douglas DC-3 Dakota from Fly DC3 NZ, and the fabulous Roaring Forties display team!
The RNZAF Black Falcons during their first airshow display of 2024 | Photo by Noah Stohr-Waldren
Warbirds Over Wanaka - 29-31 Mar
New Zealand’s premier airshow is finally back! After six years, the largest airshow in New Zealand, Warbirds over Wanaka is set to take to the skies this Easter weekend from the 29th to the 31st of March. The airshow is the largest aviation event in New Zealand ahead of Wings over Wairarapa. The 2018 airshow boasted an all-time high number of spectators reaching fifty thousand. Located at Wanaka Airport, 10 kilometers east of the town center, the airshow boasts spectacular views of the towering mountains surrounding the aerodrome. Held over three days, the airshow will not disapoint, with Friday being dedicated as a “pratice day” and Staurday and Sunday being all go for the large number of displays WOW has instore. For more information about the airshow visit the Warbirds over Wanaka website.
There’s a first time for everything! Displaying for the first time is a brand-new P-51 Mustang. It was recently restored by the Biggin Hill Trust in Ohakea and Warbirds over Wanaka will be the first time Kiwis will be able to see NZ2423 (ZK-BHT) flying in over 70 years. Another first will be the RNZAF showing off their P-8 Poseidon at an airshow for the first time since the fleet entered service in 2023. A highlight of the airshow is always the Air Force displays. While the show features many spectacular warbirds, it also shows off several Air Force aircraft. As of 25/1/24, the RNZAF has confirmed they will bring the C-130H Hercules, a Boeing P-8A Poseidon, their NH-90 and A109 helicopters, and the T6-C Texan Display Team. However, in previous years, the United States Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force have attended with aircraft like the F-35A Lightning and C-17 Globemaster.
Alongside the airforce displays, spectators will be able to spot New Zealand’s classic formations, The Roaring Forties and Yak Red Stars. As for the Red Stars, they were formed in 2002 featuring 3 Yak-52’s the team has since grown to include nine Yak-52’s and for the first time ever is planning on flying a 13-ship display at Warbirds over Wanaka this Year.
Some of the top aircraft confirmed for the 2024 airshow include; A brand-new P-51 Mustang perfectly restored by the Biggin Hill Trust, NZ’s only flying Corsair, One of the RNZAF’s brand new P-8A Poseidons, A Grumman Avenger named “Plonky” from the RNZAF Heritage Flight, The legendary American Eagles L-39 Display team. To see a full list of the aircraft confirmed visit the Warbirds over Wanaka website.