History of the Royal New Zealand Air Force
- Garth Calitz
- Apr 2
- 11 min read
By Garth Calitz
The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) serves as the aviation branch of the New Zealand Defence Force. Originally established in 1923 as a division of the New Zealand Army under the name New Zealand Permanent Air Force, it attained the status of an independent air force on 1 April 1937.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has participated in significant military engagements, including World War II, the Malayan Emergency, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War, and has been involved in United Nations peacekeeping missions. From a peak of over 1,000 combat aircraft in 1945, the RNZAF's fleet has been reduced to approximately 48 aircraft by 2022. Its current operations emphasize maritime patrol and transport duties in support of the Royal New Zealand Navy and the New Zealand Army. The RNZAF's air combat capability concluded in 2001 with the disbandment of squadrons equipped with A-4 Skyhawk and Aermacchi MB-339 aircraft.
The Air Force is commanded by an Air Vice-Marshal who serves as the Chief of the Air Force. The RNZAF shares its motto with the Royal Air Force, "Per Ardua ad Astra," which translates to "Through Adversity to the Stars." In 2009, the Māori name Te Tauaarangi o Aotearoa, meaning "New Zealand Warriors of the Sky" or more precisely "The New Zealand War Party of the Sky," was adopted. Previously, for 12 years, the name was Te Hokowhitu o Kahurangi, meaning "War Party of the Blue."
After WWI, Great Britain extended an Imperial Gift to each of the Dominions, consisting of one hundred surplus combat aircraft. New Zealand was the last to respond and exhibited the least enthusiasm. Upon arrival in New Zealand, the 33 aircraft, comprising Avro 504s, Bristol F.2 Fighters, and De Havilland-designed Airco DH.4s and Airco DH.9s, were either stored or loaned to flying schools, barnstormers, and commercial operators.
The significance of aviation in warfare was eventually acknowledged, primarily due to the efforts of the visionary parliamentarian Sir Henry Wigram. On June 14, 1923, the New Zealand Permanent Air Force was officially established as a part of the Army, initially staffed by four officers and two other ranks as full-time personnel, along with the New Zealand Air Force, which had 102 officers on the Reserve lists.
Initially, the NZPAF was equipped with the surviving Imperial Gift aircraft, operating from an airfield outside Christchurch at Sockburn. In 1926, Wigram donated £2,500 for the acquisition of modern fighters, leading to the procurement of Gloster Grebes. Sockburn was later renamed RNZAF Station Wigram, a name that was adopted by the suburb that developed around the airfield. This location is now the site of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum.
During the late 1920s and early 1930s, a small number of new Bristol Fighters and other aircraft types were added to the NZPAF. A Lewis gun-equipped De Havilland Gipsy Moth floatplane participated in naval operations against rebels in Samoa. The NZPAF's first action occurred in 1930 when a Moth dropped an improvised bomb made from a treacle tin onto a ship suspected of gun-running. The bomb caused no damage, and the target was later identified as a local missionary vessel.
In 1930, a territorial wing of the New Zealand Air Force was established with three squadrons at RNZAF Station Hobsonville, Wellington, and Christchurch, though without equipment. A fourth squadron planned for Dunedin had not been established even by July 1939. Notably, Fairey IIIFs conducted a dramatic maritime rescue, and in the aftermath of the Napier earthquake, the NZPAF flew in urgently needed supplies and medical equipment.
Similar to other Western air forces, a significant expansion of the New Zealand Permanent Air Force (NZPAF) commenced in the mid-1930s. In 1933–34, the NZPAF ordered twelve Vickers Vildebeests to establish two bomber-reconnaissance flights at Hobsonville and Wigram. In 1937, 29 Blackburn Baffins were acquired specifically to equip the Territorial Air Force for coastal reconnaissance missions. An initial batch of 16 Vickers Vincent bomber-reconnaissance biplanes arrived in July 1939. Eventually, more modern British aircraft, including substantial numbers of Airspeed Oxfords, Avro 626s, and Fairey Gordons, were introduced. The NZPAF was renamed the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1934 and became an independent service in 1937.
At the onset of World War II, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) was initially equipped with 30 Vickers Wellington bombers ordered in 1938. These aircraft were completed, and RNZAF crews were undergoing training in the United Kingdom in 1939. However, with the increasing likelihood of war in Europe, the New Zealand government offered the aircraft and their crews to the United Kingdom in August 1939. These forces became No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron RAF within No. 3 Group. Additionally, many New Zealanders were serving in the Royal Air Force.
The primary function of the RNZAF was to leverage New Zealand's geographical distance from the conflict by training aircrew as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme, in collaboration with other major former British colonies, including Canada, Australia, and South Africa. To fulfill this mission, a significant number of de Havilland Tiger Moths, Airspeed Oxfords, and North American Harvards were either manufactured or assembled locally. Additionally, second-hand biplanes, such as Hawker Hinds and Vickers Vincents, were acquired, along with other specialized training aircraft like Avro Ansons and Supermarine Walruses. It was only when German surface raiders and Japanese submarines became active that the necessity for a combat force in New Zealand, in addition to the training units, became apparent.
New Zealand's vulnerability to Axis naval operations was highlighted when a Japanese float plane, launched from a submarine, flew over Wellington and Auckland. It was ineffectively pursued by a Tiger Moth. With limited combat-ready aircraft available domestically and Britain unable to assist, New Zealand sought support from the United States, resulting in a Lend-Lease agreement. Initially, in 1942, the United States began supplying New Zealand with aircraft for the Pacific Theatre, including Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawks, as well as additional Harvards and Hudsons.
The fall of Singapore led to the return of some RNZAF pilots, who had been serving with the RAF, to New Zealand. These experienced pilots formed the core of new fighter squadrons, with the first being No. 14 Squadron RNZAF, established at Masterton.
Beginning in mid-1943 at Guadalcanal, starting with No. 15 and No. 14 Squadrons, several RNZAF Kittyhawk units distinguished themselves in combat. Numerous pilots achieved ace status against the Japanese, including Geoff Fisken, who became the Commonwealth's leading ace in the Pacific War. Other squadrons operated the venerable yet effective Douglas Dauntless and later transitioned to the modern Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber. Commencing on 12 October 1943, as part of Operation Cartwheel, RNZAF aircraft participated in an Allied air campaign targeting Japanese-held airfields and the port of Rabaul.
As the Allies transitioned to an offensive strategy, the role of the RNZAF evolved accordingly. Under the leadership of the Americans, who spearheaded the Allied efforts in the Pacific, the strategy involved bypassing significant Japanese strongholds. Instead, the focus was on capturing select island bases to establish a supply chain for a future assault on Japan. The Allied advance commenced from the South Pacific, with the RNZAF playing a crucial role in securing the progression line by neutralizing bypassed Japanese positions, such as Rabaul. As the war advanced, the older aircraft models were substituted with more powerful, modern aircraft. Kittyhawks were replaced by Vought F4U Corsairs, and Hudsons were succeeded by Venturas. By the end of the war, the RNZAF was planning to introduce 320 North American P-51 Mustangs into service as a partial replacement for the F4U.
At its peak in the Pacific, the RNZAF operated 34 squadrons, with 25 stationed outside New Zealand, actively engaging Japanese forces. Thirteen of these squadrons were equipped with Corsairs, six with Venturas, two with Catalinas, two with Avengers, and two with Douglas Dakota transport aircraft. Additionally, the RNZAF maintained a squadron of Dauntless dive bombers, several mixed transport and communications squadrons, a flight of Short Sunderlands, and nearly 1,000 training aircraft. To manage units in the South Pacific, No. 1 Islands Group RNZAF was established on 10 March 1943, under the command of Air Commodore Sidney Wallingford. Furthermore, several hundred RNZAF personnel participated in operations with RAF squadrons or the Fleet Air Arm in Burma, Singapore, and the South Pacific.
Following the Second World War, No. 14 Squadron RNZAF was deployed to Japan as part of the occupation force, J Force. Meanwhile, the remainder of the air force quickly reduced its aircraft and personnel, focusing primarily on training and transport operations until the revitalization of No. 14 Squadron RNZAF and No. 75 Squadron RNZAF.
Starting in 1949, Compulsory Military Training revitalized the Air Force's reserve component. The four Territorial squadrons, including No. 1 Squadron RNZAF (Auckland), Wellington, Canterbury, and No. 4 Squadron, Territorial Air Force, based at Taieri Aerodrome, were outfitted with 30 Mustangs brought out of storage, along with a few Tiger Moths and Harvards for each squadron. No. 4 Squadron TAF was active from at least 1951 to 1955. From 1952 to 1957, No. 6 Flying Boat Squadron functioned as a Territorial unit at Hobsonville, operating Catalinas and later Sunderlands.
The British government declared the Malayan Emergency on 18 June 1948 following a retaliatory attack that resulted in the deaths of several rubber plantation workers. This attack was in response to the killing of labor activists during police actions. Consequently, the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA), a communist guerrilla organization, was formed. New Zealand's initial involvement began in 1949, when C-47 Dakotas from RNZAF No. 41 Squadron were assigned to the Royal Air Force's Far East Air Force. These aircraft were utilized to airdrop supplies to British and Malay forces combating the MNLA, operating away from their usual base in Hong Kong. By the time these aircraft were withdrawn in late 1951, they had completed 211 sorties, delivering 284,000 kg of supplies.
While no RNZAF units were deployed to Korea, several New Zealanders participated in the conflict by flying with other air forces. Two individuals piloted Gloster Meteor jets with No. 77 Squadron RAAF; one of them, Vance Drummond, was shot down and captured. A New Zealand Army artillery lieutenant served as an observer in a light aircraft with a USAF tactical control unit. Alan Boxer, a New Zealand-born officer who later became a British air marshal, flew B-29 Superfortress missions while attached to the USAF. On February 11, 1953, Cedric Macpherson, a New Zealander serving as a lieutenant in the British Royal Navy aboard HMS Ocean, was killed when his Hawker Sea Fury was downed by ground fire. Additionally, five New Zealanders participated in Royal Australian Navy missions over Korea from the Australian carrier HMAS Sydney. Some of these pilots were former RNZAF members, while others joined the British and Australian forces directly.
From 1962, the RNZAF's main contribution to the Vietnam War involved No. 40 and No. 41 Squadrons providing troop transport and resupply. No. 40 Squadron used Lockheed C-130 Hercules freighters to fly from New Zealand or the RAF base in Singapore, often via Australia, to Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia. No. 41 Squadron operated from Singapore to Hong Kong via Southeast Asia using Handley Page Hastings and Bristol 170 Freighters. An airfield was built at Nui Dat to facilitate direct delivery of personnel and supplies by the RNZAF.
Canberra bombers were deployed in a non combat role, with crew observing American operations, and deploying to South Vietnam to conduct joint training with the USAF.
In June 1966, No. 9 Squadron RAAF was deployed to South Vietnam, based in Vung Tau with Bell UH-1 Iroquois aircraft. To assist the RAAF, facing a pilot shortage, 16 RNZAF officers served with the squadron in Vietnam. Flight Lieutenant Bill Waterhouse, the RNZAF's only Māori helicopter pilot at the time, was killed in January 1969 while preparing for service in South Vietnam.
The RNZAF also supported Forward Air Control operations in Vietnam, collaborating with the USAF 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang Air Base and the USAF 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base, utilizing Cessna O-1 Birddog, O-2 Skymaster and OV-10 Broncos. A small detachment of RNZAF ground crew from No. 75 Squadron RNZAF were also attached to a U.S Marine Corps VMA-311 A-4 Skyhawk unit at Chu Lai.
RNZAF personnel played a significant role in the New Zealand Services Medical Team (NZSMT), with one member later joining the New Zealand Army Training Team (NZATTV). Additionally, RNZAF members were assigned to HQ V Force, where they primarily performed liaison duties in Saigon. Tragically, Sgt. Gordon Watt, an RNZAF member of the NZSMT, was killed by an improvised trap in 1970, marking the RNZAF's sole casualty of the war. In his memory, a memorial is displayed at the Ohakea Base Medical flight, and the "Gordon Watt Memorial Award" is presented to the RNZAF's top medic in his honour.
After the Vietnam conflict, the RNZAF shifted its focus towards maritime operations. Long-range surveillance patrols became more frequent in the waters surrounding New Zealand, as P-3 Orion crews and Navy Westland Wasp Helicopters actively searched for Soviet and Chinese vessels within New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone. Concurrently, aircrews strengthened their collaboration with the United States and Australia through the ANZUS alliance.
The inaugural foreign deployment of the new A-4 Skyhawks occurred in 1971, directed to RAAF Base Williamtown and HMAS Albatross in Australia. Support for the Skyhawk crews was provided by Hercules, Andover, and subsequently Boeing 727 aircraft, which delivered ground support personnel and assisted in setting up mobile TACAN stations. Furthermore, eight single-seat Skyhawks were sent to Singapore to take part in Exercise Vanguard. Regular deployments were also conducted to Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Following the conclusion of the US-aligned Muldoon government and the election of David Lange and the Fourth Labour Government, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) ended overt military associations with the United States and the United Kingdom. The New Zealand military shifted focus towards more global and international roles, such as United Nations peacekeeping.
The enactment of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987 designated New Zealand's territorial sea, land and airspace as nuclear-free zones. This significantly impacted the operational efficiency of the Air Force's combat squadrons. The scarcity of opportunities to practice operational skills made it challenging to keep pace with the air forces New Zealand had traditionally collaborated with. By the late 1980s, the RNZAF was actively involved in United Nations operations in the Sinai Peninsula and Iran. This era also marked the end of involvement in Singapore. No. 1 Squadron was deactivated in December 1984, with its Andovers reassigned to No. 42 Squadron.
In 1999, the National Government ordered 28 F-16A/B aircraft to replace the A-4 Skyhawks, but the incoming Labour Government under Helen Clark cancelled them in 2001. This led to the disbanding of No. 2 and No. 75 Skyhawk squadrons and No. 14 Aermacchi squadron, eliminating the RNZAF's air combat capability. Most RNZAF fighter pilots then joined the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Air Force. By 2003, the RNZAF had 53 aircraft and 2,523 personnel, including civilians.
In 2005, the Ministry of Defence chose the NH90 helicopter to replace the RNZAF's ageing UH-1H Iroquois fleet. The NZ government allocated NZ$550 million for this replacement and Bell 47 (Sioux) training helicopters. In November 2011, Draken International, a US private defence contractor, purchased eight stored RNZAF A-4K Skyhawks and nine Aermacchi MB-339s, using them for commercial air services as an adversary squadron.
In the late 1990s, New Zealand considered purchasing C-130J Hercules from Lockheed Martin as part of an Australian deal. However, after the 1999 election, the new Labour government opted not to proceed. Instead, in 2004, a NZD$226 million service life extension program was arranged with L3 Spar Aerospace of Canada to keep the C-130 Hercules in use until about 2025. Since 2001, RNZAF P-3K Orions and C-130 Hercules have periodically deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
Today, the RNZAF operates a diverse array of aircraft, including transport, maritime patrol and helicopters. Its core responsibilities encompass humanitarian assistance, search and rescue operations, disaster relief, and contributions to international security. The air force actively engages in various operations, both domestically and internationally. For instance, it has provided vital aerial support during natural disasters like the Christchurch earthquake, demonstrating its commitment to community safety and stability.
As it faces the future, the RNZAF remains essential to New Zealand's defence. strategy, dedicated to contributing to peace, security, and humanitarian efforts globally. The trajectory of the RNZAF suggests a promising future, firmly grounded in a rich legacy while embracing modern technologies and strategies.
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