Despite forced programme changes and not so great weather an estimated 60,000 attended Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow over three days of Easter weekend.

General Manager Ed Taylor says while the final number was down on 2024’s 64,000 people they dodged a bullet with the weather this year.

“Friday was great but then early Saturday morning there was rain and the forecast was not good and even worse for Sunday.  But apart from a few passing showers the rain stayed although it was cold on Saturday.  Sunday was a shade warmer and there was even some sunshine in the afternoon,” says Ed.

Ed expects some people decided not to come because of the weather but tens of thousands still made the pilgrimage to New Zealand’s Premier Airshow.

“Visitors were rapt with the programme we managed to put on.  Highlights for many were the rare Mk. XI Spitfire which came all the way from the UK, the American Eagles Formation Jet Display team and the surprise display by the huge Black Hawk helicopter flown by Mark Law of Kahu Helicopters.”

Overall organisers were rapt with how the airshow ran.

“We’re always learning and sometimes when you fix a problem for some people it creates another issue down the line.  We have already had some great feedback and we’ll be putting that altogether for our big debrief which will happen in the coming weeks.”

“We’re just so grateful to be able to hold the airshow given everything that’s been going on,” says Ed.