About Us

Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 1988 onwards.....

History

In 1988 aviation entrepreneur, the late Sir Tim Wallis, shared his passion for Warbirds and Classic Aircraft with the public by creating an Airshow that is now a biennial centrepiece of Central Otago’s tourist attractions. The first airshow and country fair attracted 14,000 visitors to Wanaka Airport.

Delighted with this success, he decided to expand on the theme and hold a biennial event over the long Easter weekend. As the show grew so did its support and now more than 50,000 people make the pilgrimage to Wanaka for their weekend of excitement.

Now acclaimed as the largest 'Warbirds' Airshow in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the world's top Warbirds airshows, we will be celebrating 38 years of operating Airshows in 2026.

Want to know more? 



Warbirds Over Wanaka Founder, the late Sir Tim Wallis

Wallis 060610 1


 
Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust Board

In 2006 the Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust Board was established to ensure Sir Tim Wallis’s legacy continues to develop and grow in Wanaka. As a Charitable Trust (CC30150) our Vision is to:

 

'Aspire to be the best Warbirds Airshow in the World.'


Our Mission: 'To educate through the celebration and promotion of aviation past and present.'


 
The Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust Board Trustees: 

 

Paul Moodie May 2924 cropped

Marion Franks

Brett Nichols5

John Lamont5

Peter Townsend April 2014

 

Paul Moodie

 Chairman

Marion Franks

 

Brett Nicholls

 

John Lamont

 

Peter Townsend

 


We invite you to assist us to fulfil our Vision and Mission statements by making a donation.

Why would you work with us?

  • Because you can take part in helping preserve New Zealand's aviation heritage for all generations

  • To assist us implement a formal education plan and scholarships to ensure New Zealand has enough pilots who can fly WWII aircraft into the future. In joining the Warbirds Over Wanaka Family you can contribute to exhibiting aircraft and promoting aviation.

 

What do I need to do in order to make a donation?

Contact us to make a donation for any amount or donate $50 or $100 through the link to our shop below.

We appreciate your support.

ed@warbirdsoverwanaka.co.nz or call on 64 3 443 8619.

Make a donation

 

 

We thank you for your willingness to assist in preserving New Zealand's aviation heritage.

 

NZASA Logo

New Zealand Airshow Association

Warbirds Over Wanaka is proud to be an accredited member of the New Zealand Airshows Association. This group was set up in 2012 to further the aims of the Warbird movement in New Zealand and to enhance the visitor experience at this country’s leading airshows.


The founding members are: Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow (Wanaka), Wings Over Wairarapa (Masterton), Classic Flyers (Tauranga), New Zealand Warbirds Association (Auckland) and The Vintage Aviator (Masterton). Associate members include CAA and the RNZAF.

 

NZEA Member Logo 2019 50

New Zealand Event Association

Warbirds Over Wanaka is a member of the New Zealand Event Association.  

 

 

 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION FOR WARBIRDS OVER WANAKA

      NZEA favourite2                                                               

 

 WOW wins awards

NZ Event Association Award for NZ's Favourite  Event 2018      

 NZEA award neutral               

 

 

Award2

NZ Event Association Award for the Best National Event 2018

 IMG 0797 Trustpower Award Certificate 2014
   
2014 Trustpower Community Awards - Heritage and Environment Regional Winner     
 IMG 0059 Trustpower Awards 2 2013 2013 Trustpower Community Awards - Heritage and Environment Regional Winner
 Air Race Award cropped 2004 Around NZ Air Race - recognition of support
 Event Award 1998 Certificate of Achievement - Best Small Event in NZ
 Dip. Honneur 1996 International Aeronautical Federation - contribution to exciting and spectacular displays of extremely rare aircraft
 94 Tourism Award 1994 Tourism NZ Award Finalist
 St. John award 1993 Order of St John - thanks for furtherance of their work at our airshows
 Tourism 92
     
1992 Tourism NZ Award Finalist
 Civi Dev. Award 1992 Civic Development Award - Otago Chamber of Commerce for the development of the Airshow
 90 Tourism Award 1990 Tourism NZ Award - Commendation Winner of Special Events