Where to experience an airshow in New Zealand in 2025

With a busy summer ahead featuring plenty of aviation displays including the Classic Flyers Aero Day, and the Classic Fighters Airshow, many aviation events are coming up to suit your inner avgeek.

Four Yak-52’s apart of the Red Stars aerobatic team at the Classic Flyers Aero Day 2024 | Photo: Noah Stohr-Waldren

Classic Flyers Aero Day (Tauranga) - 18 Jan

Classic Flyers’ Aero Day at Tauranga Airport is set to take flight on Saturday 18th of January. The event will have plenty of aircraft and vintage vehicles on display as well as multiple food stalls.

Throughout the day there will be multiple flying displays including the iconic Roaring Forties Harvard formation team, the NZ Redstars Yak-52 team, and New Zealand's only airworthy Corsair (ZK-COR). And operated by the Bigin Hill Trust will be a Spitfire (PV270, ZK-SPI), the brand new and NZ's only flying P-51 Mustang (NZ2423, ZK-BHT), and the Grumman Avenger nicknamed ‘Plonky’.

On the ground will be numerous ground displays such as the engine runs of a Grumman Avenger, a P-40 Kittyhawk, an ex-RNZAF MB-339 Aermacchi, and a De Havilland Vampire.

Throughout the day on Saturday, Air Chathams will offer scenic flights aboard their iconic and beloved Douglas DC-3, Skyliner Kaitaia. This historic aircraft, a symbol of aviation excellence, delivers an unforgettable flying experience. Each flight lasts 30 minutes, with over six flights scheduled throughout the day.

To find out more about the event visit the Classic Flyers website. For more information about the DC-3 scenic flights visit the Air Cathams website.

Wanganui Aero Day - 19 Jan

For the third time, Wanganui Aeroclub is set to host an awesome aero day filled with all things aviation. Set to be held on Sunday 19th of January, the open day will not disappoint and will have multiple static displays, flying displays, and joyrides available.

During the day there will be two airshow flying slots that will include multiple awe-inspiring airshow displays, all the currently confirmed aircraft will fly during BOTH flying slots so get excited! So far, Wanganui Aeroclub has confirmed the flying displays of a highly maneuverable Pitts Special flown by Lincoln Jones with incredible aerobatics, the exciting BAC Strikmaster, ZK-BAC, a Wellington Airport resident aircraft, and a very popular airshow display jet, as well the loud Strikmaster will be the iconic, high speed and agile De Havilland Venom jet promising to give visitors a truly epic display, also on display will be New Zealand’s only airworthy Ex-RNZAF FG-1D Corsair, roaring into life and spreading it’s iconic gull wings across the skies over Wanganui Airport. Visitors can also expect to see a newly restored De Havilland Chipmunk flown all the way from Auckland on display. The Aero Day will also have plenty of static displays to view.

Throughout the day plus Monday, Air Chathams will offer scenic flights in their iconic and popular Douglas DC-3 named Skyliner Kaitaia. The aircraft proudly represents an era of aviation excellence and is an absolute pleasure to fly onboard. Each flight last a whole 30 minutes and will be operating all day on both Sunday and Monday with over 12 flights in total.

To find out more about the event, check Wanganui Aeroclubs Facebook page as well as their Wanganui Aero Day website. For more information about the DC-3 flights visit the Air Cathams website.

The Roaring Forties Harvard display team preforming a formation loop | Photo: Noah Stohr-Waldren

Warbirds On Parade (Auckland) - 16 Mar

Aucklands local airshow, Warbirds on Parade is back for 2025! It is set to be held on Sunday, March 16th and you won’t want to miss it. The event will be held on the southern side of Ardmore Aerodrome, around the NZ Warbirds Ltd. Hangars. Throughout the day, there will be plenty of air displays flying from 10:30 AM until 3:30 PM. In between the flying displays, there will be plenty of ground displays to check out. 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 display team. Flying in ex-RNZAF Harvard trainers is the incredible 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 become a staple of New Zealand airshows ever since.

So far, NZ Warbirds has only confirmed the fabulous Roaring Forties display team will be displayed at the upcoming airshow. However, you can expect to see more aircraft confirmed in the near future including the possible displays of Several WWI fighters, NZ’s only flying Goodyear FG-1 Corsair, a fast and agile L-39 jet as well as many more.

The spectacular Yak 3 'Steadfast‘ will not disappoint at the Classic Fighters Airshow 2025 | Photo: Noah Stohr-Waldren

Classic Fighters Omaka (Blenhiem) - 18-20 Apr

Marlborough Lines Classic Fighters is 'Putting on the Ritz' this coming Easter Weekend 2025! Aircraft from the Golden Age of Aviation during the 1920s and 1930s will up the glamour stakes and set the Marlborough skies a dazzle. Gasp at the aerobatics and hold your breath as iconic WW2 warbirds command the skies.  For a weekend of fantastic flying, classic cars, fireworks, fun, food and entertainment. Located at Omaka Aerodrome, just 5 kilometers from the Blenheim town center, the airshow boasts spectacular flying displays. Held over three days, the airshow will not disappoint, with Friday having a Twilight Show with fireworks and Saturday and Sunday being all go for the large number of displays the airshow has instore. For more information about the airshow visit their website.

Tickets are on sale now for the Marlborough Lines Classic Fighters Airshow so book now to make sure you don’t miss out!

Spectators will be able to spot New Zealand’s classic formations, the Roaring Forties Harvard Display team and Yak 52 Red Stars. Alongside these formation teams, the airshow will feature a ‘WACO reunion‘ featuring four WACO bi-planes from across the country.

Some of the other best aircraft confirmed for the 2024 airshow include; a shiny new P-51 Mustang perfectly restored by the Biggin Hill Trust, NZ’s only flying Corsair, a Spitfire from the Biggin Hill Trust, a Grumman Avenger named “Plonky” from the RNZAF Heritage Flight, the incredible Yak 3 ‘Steadfast‘, an ex-RNZAF Strikemaster and Venom as well as plenty more.

Plus there will be multiple ground displays including a former RNZAF P-40, multiple Nanchang CJ6 trainers, and exhilarating engine runs of the De Havilland Mosquito NZ2336.

To see a full list of the aircraft confirmed visit the Classic Fighters Omaka website.