Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow is committed to sustainability.
Over the years we have implemented a number of initiatives looking at how we can ensure the event is around for many more years to come, allowing future generations to enjoy the sheer thrill of an Airshow set in one of the world’s most stunning settings, while also making a significant contribution to the local community.
We acknowledge that being focussed on sustainability applies to all facets of our business. We need to make sure that our event is financially sustainable, we need to ensure that we play our part in bringing new display pilots, engineers and aircraft owners into the Warbirds fold and we need to ensure that we are doing our best to minimise the impact on our environment.
Like all major events we appreciate we do create a carbon footprint and as a Community Trust we are committed to looking at ways we can reduce this.
Warbirds Over Wanaka has signed up to the ‘New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment’. This involves our business working towards the 14 commitments aimed at economic, environmental, host community and visitor sustainability.
Warbirds Over Wanaka is offering visitors to our Airshow the opportunity to make a $10 donation when they purchase their ticket to help offset the carbon cost of their journey to Wanaka. Airshow organisers will match these donations $ for $ from any airshow surplus.
The total money raised will go directly to a planting or other similar project aimed at protecting and enhancing Wanaka waterways and wider environment. In 2018 the Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust made a $20,000 donation to the Wanaka Water Project which aims to plant 24,000 trees along Wanaka waterways over the next five years. A team of Warbirds staff and volunteers backed up the donation by assisting to plant natives at the Glendhu Wetland Wildlife Refuge.
Following the 2024 airshow we were once again in a position to work with a local group with the environment in mind. We invested $20,000 with Wanaka native plant nursery Te Kakano to launch an inovative project where locals are learning to weave plant guards out of flax. Since the launch a large number of people across the age groups have been attending workshops learning how to weave these guards. The hope is they will eventually replace the use of plastic and metal guards. Another win for the environment. To learn more about the project click here: Te Kakano
Warbirds Over Wanaka works closely with its waste/recycling partner, Wanaka Wastebusters to divert as much waste as possible from landfill. Warbirds Over Wanaka has committed to working with its suppliers, exhibitors and vendors to find new areas where they can minimise their impact on the environment. For the first time in 2026 we are offering a food waste compost service for all our food trucks and caterers to take advantage of.
Warbirds Over Wanaka would not be the internationally-recognised event it was without the amazing talents of our pilots and engineers and the generosity of the aircraft owners who bring their aircraft to Wanaka. In 2016 we launched the Warbirds Over Wanaka Flying Scholarships.. Since then we have awarded 11 Scholarships worth a total of $65.000. We are investing back in the careers of people who will be our display pilots and Warbird engineers of the future.
2016 Winners Michael Williams & Andy Love 2017 Winners Adam Butcher & Ryan Southam
2018 Winners Bevan Dewes and Dan Pezaro 2019 Winners Lachlan Falconer and Glenn Drower
Thanks to funding from the Lion Foundation, Warbirds Over Wanaka has two x 6-seater electric golf carts to transport disabled visitors around the event. The vehicles have no emissions, are quiet and are much easier for disabled people to get on and off. These carts have also been loaned to a number of other Wanaka events to help keep their costs down and also help reduce their carbon footprint.
Warbirds Over Wanaka is looking to widen its merchandise line-up with sustainability in mind. We offer a stylish souvenir cotton tote bag to carry all your Airshow purchases and you’ll be able to reuse it over and over again. We also have a handy Warbirds reusable cup and a branded water bottle. These items are available for purchase at the airshow or anytime from our online shop.
