WINGS OVER CAMBRIDGE
CAMBRIDGE'S CONNECTIONS WITH THE WARTIME AIR FORCE
Wartime RNZAF Stations, Airfields and Depots
Before the Second World War the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and its predecessor, the New Zealand Permanent Air Force (1923-1934), had operated with just two main stations where its aircraft were located. These were at Sockburn (later renamed Wigram after Sir Henry Wigram, father of New Zealand military aviation), in Christchurch, and at Hobsonville in Auckland.
In the 1937 Defence Review, the far-sighted RAF officer Sir Ralph Cochrane recommended the building of more stations. So work began on Whenuapai, just 6km west of Hobsonville, and Ohakea, north of Palmerston North. Each of these new stations were to have concrete runways and two large blast-proof concrete hangars. Both were designed to operate heavy aircraft like the Vickers Wellingtons that were then on order to re-equip the RNZAF.
A fifth station was also built at Woodbourne, near Blenheim, which was to become one of the main flying training stations of the RNZAF.
But by the outbreak of war on the 3rd of September 1939, of the three new stations only Woodbourne was ready and operational. Ohakea was very close behind, and actually accepted its first aircraft landing on the 29th of September 1939. But Whenuapai was still under construction and would not be ready till early 1940.
It was soon apparent that with the mobilisation of airmen, and the need to train them, more new stations were needed quickly. This gave rise to three kinds of new RNZAF stations.
The first type of new station was the commandeered aerodrome. This was the taking over of civilian aerodromes, airline and aeroclub hangars, and all their facilities. This happened progressively through the early stages of the war and saw aeroclubs at places like Rongotai, Omaka, Mangere and Rukuhia become RNZAF Stations, and their facilities were expanded. Barracks had to be built, and mess halls, new hangars, and all the other amenities needed.
Meanwhile civil aircraft like the popular aeroclub de Havilland Moths and Tiger Moths were impressed to become the central core of the four Elementary Flying Training Schools, and other airline, aeroclub and private aircraft types became RNZAF property too, serving in roles from reconnaissance to training to communications, etc.
As well as the facilities and the aeroplanes, civil instructors and experienced pilots also became RNZAF pilots. Of course this was a rather easy transition because for some years the New Zealand Government had been fostering the civilian aeroclubs, and they'd helped pay for pilots to learn to fly, so most of the flying instructors were RNZAF Reservists who simply heeded the call and put on the blue uniform. Therefore with war breaking out, many of the country's aerodromes and their clubs became effectively instant Air Force stations
The second type of new RNZAF Station was more expensive - all new facilities built from the ground up in new locations. These included the likes of RNZAF Station Te Rapa, where farmland was selected and a station was built to meet a specific requirement.
And the third type is probably the least remembered, where actual city premises were commandeered and RNZAF Stations moved into the central business districts of a town or city. This happened in places like Hamilton, Rotorua and Gisborne. Usually garages - no longer needed as there was petrol rationing and all the mechanics were in the Armed Forces - became RNZAF workshops, and office space and other buildings were used, for RNZAF admin and stores, etc. Hotels were commandeered and these became barracks. Some new facilities may have been constructed but generally these stations blended into the city and by war's end simply shut up shop and the premises returned to civil hands.
This is quoted from 'War Economy', from the Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War Series:
"For the first three years of war, until the 1942–43 burst of defence construction activity in preparation for a possible Japanese invasion and to accommodate United States forces, the largest construction expenditures tended to be those on behalf of the RNZAF. This work involved mainly the construction of new airfields and stations."
The following extracts are taken from the New Zealand Official Yearbook for 1946, which were quoted in the "War Economy" book mentioned above:
"The building programme necessary to meet the requirements of the War Training Organization was commenced, and soon afterwards had to be revised to cope with the needs of the Empire Air Training Scheme."
"By March, 1941, the construction to the requirements then visualised had been completed, or was in hand, at the following fourteen stations, at a total approximate cost of £4,448,000. New Plymouth, Whenuapai, Hobsonville, Ohakea, Levin, Woodbourne, Harewood, Wigram, Taieri, Omaka, Tauranga, Nelson, Waipapakauri, and Rongotai."
"The expansion necessary to meet the Japanese threat, and the need to accommodate the large numbers of United States air units which it was proposed to base in this country, necessitated a further drastic increase in the building programme in 1942. By March, 1943, some 37 RNZAF stations were in operation in New Zealand, the total construction costs being £11,470,000."
Below is a list of RNZAF stations, depots and facilities. This is by no means complete yet, and in time more information will to be added to this. If any stations or depots, and their units, etc., have been missed, or you can make corrections please
If you have any information about these stations, or the squadrons and units that served on them, I would be really pleased to hear from you.
North Island
South Island
(Under Construction)
| Marlborough | Canterbury | Otago |
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Unknown Region |
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Dawson's Farm |
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Click here for a NZ Wises Map that you can zoom in close to for routes, etc, |
Pacific RNZAF Stations
***Coming Soon ***
Bougainville New Georgia Guadalcanal Halavo Bay Green Island Emirau |
Los Negros Jacquinot Bay Espiritu Santo New Caledonia Fiji (Suva) Lauthala Bay |
Nandi Nausori Tonga Norfolk Island Kaneohe Funafuti |
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European RNZAF Stations
***Coming Soon***
Northland Region
Map Coming Soon
Parengarenga Harbour
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground?
Administered by: New Zealand Government
Closest Major Town or City: North Cape, Northland
History under RNZAF usage: unknown, probably the most northern RNZAF site and possibly a flying boat stopping point?
Opened as RNZAF Station: unknown
Closed as RNZAF Station: unknown
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here: unknown
Class: RNZAF Permanent Operational Flying Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: north of Kaitaia, Northland
History under RNZAF usage : Waipapakauri aerodrome was officially authorised for civilian aviation activities on the 29th of April 1935. Situated north of Kaitaia in the very far north of New Zealand, this was a highly important station in both the defence of New Zealand and in the transit of RNZAF squadrons to and from the Pacific forward area. In the early stages of the Pacific war a General Reconnaissance Squadron was rushed to Waipapakauri to patrol against the threat of Japanese surface raiders and submarines.Historical Note: The first aerial seeding carried out in New Zealand was done at Waipapakauri in March 1941, carried out by the Public Works Department. Lupin seeds were sown onto the sand dunes in a reclamation effort.
Opened as RNZAF Station: 1939
Closed as RNZAF Station: ?
RNZAF Waipapakauri Today: ?
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:No 7 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron
(flying Vickers Vincent biplanes to patrol Northland and the northern approaches)
RNZAF Waipapakauri Links:
http://www.northnz.co.nz/news.htm
(Scan down the page a bit to 2 September 2004)
http://www.northnz.co.nz/November%202003.html
(Scan down the page a bit to 13 November 2003)
RNZAF Station Kaitaia
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground?
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Kaitaia, Northland
History under RNZAF usage: unknown
Opened as RNZAF Station: unknown
Closed as RNZAF Station: unknown
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here: unknown
Kerikeri
Class: PWD Landing Ground
Administered by: New Zealand Public Works Department
Closest Major Town or City: Kerikeri, Northland
History under RNZAF usage: Already a landing ground before the war, Kerikeri was apparently taken over by the RNZAF in 1939.
Opened as RNZAF Station: 1939
Closed as RNZAF Station: unknown
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here: unknown
Bay of Islands (Russell)
Class: NZ Government Landing Ground
Administered by: New Zealand Government
Closest Major Town or City: Russell, Northland
History under RNZAF usage: unknown
Opened as RNZAF Station: unknown
Closed as RNZAF Station: unknown
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here: unknown
Kaikohe
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Kaikohe, Northland
History under RNZAF usage: Kaikohe aerodrome was officially authorised for civilian aviation activities on the 14th of October 1935
Opened as RNZAF Station: unknown
Closed as RNZAF Station: unknown
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here: unknown
RNZAF Station Whangarei
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground?
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Whangarei, Northland
History under RNZAF usage: Whangarei aerodrome was officially authorised for civilian aviation activities on the 7th of November 1934
Opened as RNZAF Station: unknown
Closed as RNZAF Station: unknown
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here: unknown
RNZAF Station Onerahi
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground, semi-operational
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: just south of Whangarei, Northland
History under RNZAF usage: This station was on the foreshore
Opened as RNZAF Station: unknown
Closed as RNZAF Station: unknown
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:No 20 (Army Co-operation) Squadron
Formed at RNZAF Station Onerahi in August 1942 with Hawker Hind biplanes under acting Wing Commander J.G. Fraser RAF
Claris, Great Barrier Island
Class: PWD Landing Ground
Administered by: New Zealand Public Works Department
Closest Major Town or City: east of Port Fitzroy, Great Barrier Island
History under RNZAF usage: unknown
Opened as RNZAF Station: unknown
Closed as RNZAF Station: unknown
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here: unknown
Kaipara
Administered by: New Zealand Government
Closest Major Town or City: west of Warkworth, Northland
History under RNZAF usage: unknown
Opened as RNZAF Station: unknown
Closed as RNZAF Station: unknown
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here: unknown
RNZAF Station Kumeu
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: south of Helensville, Auckland
History under RNZAF usage: unknown
Opened as RNZAF Station: unknown
Closed as RNZAF Station: unknown
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here: unknown
Class: RNZAF Permanent Flying Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: north of Henderson, Auckland
History: Whenuapai is situated on the north-western edge of Auckland city. It was constructed as part of the recommended expansions made by Sir Ralph Cochrane in 1937, and it opened in early 1940. The station was to become home to several types of aircraft, from reconnaissance bombers to transports to ab initio trainers. The station was one of the largest and most permanently planned stations, with two large concrete hangars and an additional more conventional wartime hangar added later.
Opened as RNZAF Station: early 1940
RNZAF Whenuapai Today: Whenuapai is still an operational RNZAF Base and is still home to No 40 Squadron, which was first established on the station in 1943. The squadron's Hercules transports share the station with No 5 Squadron's Orion maritime patrol aircraft. Sadly the current Government has made another of its cost-cutting errors and this base is destined to be closed down in the next few years. Currently it is the only strategically centred base in the country, and will mean that the Orions will need to travel further for its maritime patrol and rescue work into the Pacific, thus cutting down the actual time it can be searching for lost boats, etc. And no doubt this historic base will be bulldozed just like Wigram, Te Rapa and others have been in the recent past, losing one of Auckland's most important historic sites that is preserved pretty much like a time-capsule of the past.
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:No 1 (Territorial) Squadron
(flying Vickers Vildebeests from the start of the war till 1st of March 1940)The New Zealand General Reconnaissance Squadron
(formed from the three Territorial Sqns into one GR Sqn, flying Blackburn Baffins to patrol the Auckland region and the shipping lanes )No 1 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron
(renamed from the New Zealand General Reconnaissance Squadron in March 1940 under the command of Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Robert, flying Blackburn Baffins until it was the first squadron to be equipped with the new Lockheed Hudsons in June 1941 )No 1 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron
(formerly No 1 (GR) Sqn, redesignated as a Bomber Reconnaissance sqn, flying Lockheed Venturas from 1943 )No 40 (Transport) Squadron
(flying C47 Dakotas, Hudsons and Lodestars from 1943 from 1st June 1943 )No 41 (Transport) Squadron
(flying C47 Dakotas, Hudsons and Lodestars from 1943 )No 4 Elementary Flying Training School
(flying Tiger Moths from the 23rd of December 1940 )
Class: RNZAF Permanent Flying Training Station and Stores Depot
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: north of Henderson, Auckland
History:
Hobsonville was the second air force base ever established in New Zealand, and is incredibly historic for many reasons. It is situated just 6km from Whenuapai but is significant as it was a maritime base - sitting right on the edge of the upper Auckland harbour. Therefore it had a 'wet apron' where flying boats would roll up onto the land, and a jetty where cargo could be offloaded from small shipping. So it made sense that most aircraft imported to New Zealand by ship in crates, etc, would be barged up to Hobsonville from the port, taken on shore, and assembled on the station.The station also had a flying boat school where crews would be trained on the little Walrus aircraft before going up to Fiji onto the Catalinas, or even onto the Sunderlands. And Hobsonville had also housed some training and storage units throughout the war. The station has a large grass runway, and postwar was the home of No 3 Squadron's helicopters among other units until recent years when they were shifted to RNZAF Ohakea. Sadly the Government also plans to close Hobsonville very shortly and this incredibly historic station will no doubt soon be just another housing suburb.
Opened as RNZAF Station:
RNZAF Hobsonville Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:Unit 1
An aircraft assembly unit, making aircraft ready after they arrived by seaUnit 36
An aircraft assembly unit, making aircraft ready after they arrived by sea)The Armourers School
Training armourersThe Flying Boat OTU
Operational Training Unit using Walrus flying boats to train Catalina crewsNo 1 Stores Depot
The RNZAF's main Stores from November 1939 till 21st June 1942
RNZAF Station Swanson
Class: RNZAF Training Depot
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Auckland
History under RNZAF usage: A school for training Air Force medics was set up here in 1943. See below. Other facilities on this station are unknown
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:School of Hygiene
The following is from this site:
"During 1943 the number of hygiene and sanitation orderlies required by the RNZAF for stations in New Zealand and overseas had exceeded the number required by the Army. It was therefore decided to establish a school of hygiene at the RNZAF Station, Swanson. On the completion of a course at Trentham by ten Air Force personnel in January 1943, they and their instructor proceeded to Swanson station and set up a demonstration area similar to the one at Trentham. From then on all training of airmen in hygiene and sanitation duties was carried out at Swanson. The existence of this school made it possible for every officer, NCO and airman of the RNZAF to be given some instruction in hygiene before proceeding overseas. The principal instructor was changed from time to time, but he was always a man who had been overseas and was therefore conversant with the conditions likely to be met."
RNZAF Station Parnell
Class: RNZAF Port Depot
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Auckland
History under RNZAF usage:
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Remuera
Class: Unknown
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Auckland
History under RNZAF usage:
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Class: RNZAF Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: South Auckland
History: RNZAF Mangere had previously been the home of the Auckland Aero Club since 1935 and so was a well-established aerodrome. The aerodrome was commandeered just after the outbreak of the war for RNZAF use and a school for flying instructors was established. A number of other units were stationed at Mangere, though it didn't become an RNZAF Station officially until 1943.
Opened as RNZAF Station: 10th of September 1939 (requisitioned)
Closed as RNZAF Station: September 1944
RNZAF Mangere Today: Today the airfield is Auckland International Airport, the largest in the country.
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:Flying Instructor's School (from 1939)
No. 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Flight
Northern Group Communications Flight
Works Survey Flight (from August 1943)
Anti-Malaria Treatment Centre (from August 1943)
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force, then US Forces
Closest Major Town or City: South Auckland
History: In March 1942 construction of a military aerodrome at Seagrove, beside the Manukau Harbour between Karaka and Clark's Beach, was authorised, to take care of the ever expanding military aircraft activities in the Auckland region. The first aircraft began to arrive there in October 1942.The aerodrome was lent to the US Navy during the second half of 1943. In January 1944 the station was closed, however the aerodrome was still used for a satellite landing base for Ardmore. After the war, the aerodrome falls into disuse, although a Radio Research Station remained on site for a number of years.
It was originally intended for the RNZAF to work up four squadrons of Douglas Dauntless dive bombers on the station. The first, No 25 (DB) Squadron, was almost fully trained, and the second (26 (DB) Sqn) was beginning training when a policy change meant that all the other aircraft on order were cancelled. Only 25 Sqn continued with Dauntlesses while the other three squadrons destined for Dauntless operations ended up flying Corsairs instead.
Opened as RNZAF Station: October 1942
Closed as RNZAF Station: January 1944
RNZAF Seagrove Today: Seagrove has now disappeared back into the rural landscape. It is situated just north of the famous Karaka horse sale yards, and if you're travelling south on the State Highway One motorway, just at the point where the sea laps up to the road on both sides, look to the right on the south of the harbour and you'll see the end of the runway. Some old barracks can also be seen near the road, now the sight of a plant nursery it seems.
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:No 25 (Dive Bomber) Squadron
(flying Douglas SBD-3 and SBD-4 Dauntless dive bombers in training before moving up to the forward area in the Pacific in 1943-44)No 26 (Dive Bomber) Squadron
(flying Douglas SBD-3 and SBD-4 Dauntless dive bombers for a brief time before a policy change saw this squadron switch to Corsairs)Unit 35
An aircraft assembly unit that assembled the Dauntless
RNZAF Seagrove Links
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: South Auckland
History under RNZAF usage: Ardmore was built by the Public Works Department during the war as part of Auckland's air defense system. But it was in its role as a major fighter operational conversion base that most pilots remember the station. Pilots who'd trained to elementary level elsewhere in the country would then come to Ardmore to convert onto the P40, or later the Corsair and one or two other types. There was also a gunnery school there which flew Harvard target tugs. As well as several RNZAF units and squadrons, the US Navy and Marines also used Ardmore.Active military operations at Ardmore ceased in 1946 although it officially remained a military airfield until 1957. The location is also used for a teaching training college from 1948 till 1974, and the runway became a track for Grand Prix racing from 1954, and car racing in many classes continued till 1963.
Opened as RNZAF Station: 1st of December 1943
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19th of December 1957
Today: Today Ardmore Aerodrome is the premier light aviation centre of the Auckland region, with many flying schools, clubs and engineering facilities within its aviation park. The runway is one of the busiest in the southern hemisphere, and the airfield also is the home base of the New Zealand Warbirds, who restore and fly many World War Two and other military aircraft types. As far as airfield attractions this is one of New Zealand's best.
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Manukau Harbour
Class: RNZAF Alighting Area
Administered by: New Zealand Government
Closest Major Town or City: Auckland
History under RNZAF usage: unknown - boarding ships?
Opened as RNZAF Station: unknown
Closed as RNZAF Station: unknown
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here: unknown
Waitemata Harbour
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Auckland
History under RNZAF usage: This body of water was used as an operational landing area by RNZAF and civil flying boats such as the RNZAF's Walrus, Catalina, and Sunderland aircraft; and TEAL's Empire flying boats.
Opened as RNZAF Station: 1940?
Closed as RNZAF Station: 1965? (with the retirement of the Sunderlands I'd expect)
Today: The Waitemata is still an important harbour for shipping and is also used much for recreation and international yachting regattas
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here: unknown
Waikato and Bay of Plenty Regions
Map Coming Soon
RNZAF Station Hamilton Central
Class: RNZAF Stores and Maintenance Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Hamilton, Waikato
History under RNZAF usage: See Here
Opened as RNZAF Station: 1942
Closed as RNZAF Station: 1945
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
No 1 Stores Depot (21st June 1942 till 10th of April 1943, in the Exhibition Hall, corner of Angelsea and )
No 1 Repair Depot ( in the Exhibition Hall, corner of Angelsea and Streets)
RNZAF Hospital
RNZAF Station Te Rapa
Class: RNZAF Stores Depot
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: north of Hamilton, Waikato
History under RNZAF usage: See Here
Opened as RNZAF Station: 1942
Closed as RNZAF Station: 1992
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:No 1 Stores Depot (10th of April 1943 till 1992 when base shut)
RNZAF Station Rukuhia
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground and Maintenance Depot
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: south-east of Hamilton, Waikato
History under RNZAF usage: This airfield had been in use with the Waikato Aeroclub officially since 1933, and had seen much aircraft usage before that when the initial airstrip was set up on Jack Steele's farm in the late 1920's. For more on the history of Rukuhia, please Click Here
Opened as RNZAF Station: 1942
Closed as RNZAF Station: unknown
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Te Awamutu
Class: RNZAF Stores Depot
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Te Awamutu, Waikato
History under RNZAF usage: A dedicated stores facility only
Opened as RNZAF Station: 1942?
Closed as RNZAF Station: 1945?
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:No 4 Stores Depot
Raglan
Class: PWD Landing Ground
Administered by: New Zealand Public Works Department
Closest Major Town or City: Raglan, Waikato
History under RNZAF usage: A seldom if ever used airstrip, but was set up as a defensive precaution
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Waharoa
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Matamata, Waikato
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Tauranga
Class: RNZAF Training Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
History under RNZAF usage: Tauranga Airport opened on the 18th of January 1939, and in 1940 it was requisitioned for the RNZAF. The main hangars were built in 1942 by the Public Works Department. This station housed the Central Flying School, which was where the instructors were trained before going onto teach new pilots to fly. After the war the aerodrome reverted to civil use, and airline services began from the airport in 1946. The airport continues to service the region today.
Opened as RNZAF Station: 1940
Closed as RNZAF Station: 1945 (?)
Today: Tauranga Airport is an active aerodrome with several airline services, an aeroclub, a glider club and microlighting.
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:Central Flying School
( flying Tiger Moths, Harvards and Oxfords training flying instructors for the EFTS and SFTS schools)
RNZAF Station Rotorua
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground and Ground Training Depot
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Rotorua
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:Initial Training Wing
Opotiki
Class: NZ Government Landing Ground
Administered by: NZ Government
Closest Major Town or City: Opotiki, Bay of Plenty
History under RNZAF usage: The Opotiki aerodrome was officially authorised for civilian aviation activities on the 20th of July 1935
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Central North Island Region
Map Coming Soon
Atiamuri
Class: PWD Landing Ground
Administered by: New Zealand Public Works Department
Closest Major Town or City: Kinleith, Bay of Plenty
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Galatea
Class: NZ Government Landing Ground
Administered by: New Zealand Government
Closest Major Town or City: Murupara, South Waikato
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Te Kuiti
Class: Aero Club Landing Ground
Administered by: Te Kuiti Aero Club
Closest Major Town or City: Te Kuiti
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Karioi
Class: PWD Landing Ground
Administered by: New Zealand Public Works Department
Closest Major Town or City: Ohakune, Mt Ruapehu
History under RNZAF usage: unknown
Opened as RNZAF Station: unknown
Closed as RNZAF Station: unknown
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
North Island's Western Approaches
Map Coming Soon
RNZAF Station Bell Block
Class: RNZAF Permanent Flying Training and Operational Training Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Bell Block, New Plymouth
History under RNZAF usage: An ex-municipal aerodrome, officially operating since the 6th of July 1935, Bell Block became a hugely important RNZAF station at the immediate outbreak of war in 1939. No 2 Elementary Flying Training School was set up on the station in 1939 using impressed de Havilland DH82 Tiger Moths, DH60 Moths and other light trainers that had been sourced from many aeroclubs around the country. Later in the war No 2EFTS moved to Ashburton, but Bell Block became the home of the School of General Reconnaissance, where its modern Avro Ansons were used to train pilots, navigators and gunners who would move on to the GR squadrons flying Hudsons, and later Venturas in the Pacific.
Opened as RNZAF Station: 1939
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:No 2 EFTS
( flying DH60 Moths and DH82 Tiger Moths)School of General Reconnaissance
( flying Avro Ansons, having moved to Bell Block from Omaka)
Hawera
Class: Aero Club Landing Ground
Administered by: Hawera Aero Club
Closest Major Town or City: Hawera
History under RNZAF usage: Hawera aerodrome was officially authorised for civilian aviation activities on the 13th of March 1934. The aerodrome had previously seen aviation activities however, including as far back as 1928 when the Southern Cross landed at Hawera on its way up to and back from Auckland.
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Stratford
Class: Council Landing Ground
Administered by: Stratford Council
Closest Major Town or City: Stratford
History under RNZAF usage: Stratford aerodrome was officially authorised for civilian aviation activities on the 29th of March 1935
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Lower North Island Regions
Map Coming Soon
RNZAF Station Linton
Class: RNZAF Ground Training Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City:
History under RNZAF usage: unknown
Opened as RNZAF Station: unknown
Closed as RNZAF Station: unknown
Today: Linton is now a joint forces base, home to personnel from the New Zealand Army, Royal new Zealand Navy and the RNZAF
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Initial Training Wing
RNZAF Station Ohakea
Class: RNZAF Permanent Operational and Flying Training Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Bulls, Manawatu (north of Palmerston North)
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Wereroa (Levin)
Class: RNZAF Ground Training Station with a Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Levin
History under RNZAF usage: An ex-municipal aerodrome which had officially gained authorisation to operate as an airfield on the 11th of July 1935, Levin became an RNZAF Station at the immediate outbreak of war in 1939. Most airmen and many WAAFs who joined the RNZAF during the first half of the war passed through Levin, because this was the home of the Initial Training Wing from 1939 till 1942. This was where raw recruits learned the basics of service life and were turned into airmen and airwomen before moving onto more specific trade training. The station also had the airfield which saw some activity during the war. When ITW moved on, the Bomber Operational Training Unit that had previously been at Ohakea moved in.
Opened as RNZAF Station: 1939
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:Initial Training Wing
This was the main entry point that most airmen were sent to where basic military training and Air Force life was instilled into new recruits. It was based at Levin from 1939 through till February 1942, when it was shifted up to Rotorua.No. 1 (Bomber) Operational Training Unit
This unit had previously been stationed at RNZAF Ohakea, and it trained pilots to fly the RNZAF reconnaissance bombers on Hudsons
RNZAF Station Fielding
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Fielding
History under RNZAF usage: Fielding's aerodrome was in use with civilian aviation activities since May 1935. Though not yet confirmed this airfield was undoubtedly used as a satellite aerodrome for nearby RNZAF Station Ohakea
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Palmerston North (Milson)
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Palmerston North
History under RNZAF usage: This was Milson Aerodrome, which had been operating as an airport since 1935, but had previously been used as a landing strip at least in 1933, when Sir Charles Kingsford Smith landed the Southern Cross there. On that occasion the strip had been created by taking fences out of a farm paddock. Unfortunately a dividing drain had only been partially filled and the Southern Cross had a taxiing accident when its wheel sank into the drain, and it struck the port wing on the ground, damaging it and the port propeller. The aircraft was soon mended. This was perhaps the first aircraft to land at Milson?
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Palmerston North Links
Wanganui
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Wanganui
History under RNZAF usage: Already a landing ground since officially being given authorization as such on the 20th of March 1935, Wanganui was apparently taken over by the RNZAF in 1939. However there were still civilian aviators operating from this aerodrome well into the war too.
Opened as RNZAF Station: 1939
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Dannevirke
Class: D.A.A. Landing Ground
Administered by: D.A.A
Closest Major Town or City: Dannevirke
History under RNZAF usage: Dannevirke aerodrome was officially authorised for civilian aviation activities on the 21st of September 1934
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Masterton
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground and briefly an Operational Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Masterton
History under RNZAF usage: This was and still is known as Hood Aerodrome, named after George Hood who died on the first ever attempt to fly across the Tasman Sea
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today: Today Hood Aerodrome, Masterton remains the district's airport, and is also home to an important collection of vintage and wartime aircraft. The aerodrome is home of the New Zealand Sport and Vintage Aviation Society (see their website by clicking here) and also the Old Stick and Rudder Company - a private collection of aircraft that now includes the only flyable RNZAF Corsair in the world - formerly with the Old Flying Machine Company in Britain. If you wish to visit Hood Aerodrome (formerly RNZAF Station Masterton) click here to see the SVAS map showing how to get there.
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:No 14 (Fighter) Squadron
The squadron, which was to become one of the RNZAF's most famous and gain the nickname 'The Fighting Fourteenth', moved to RNZAF Station Masterton in May 1942. When they arrived the squadron were still flying Harvards, but later they re-equiped with Curtiss P40E Kittyhawks. No. 14 Sqn was under the command of Sqn Ldr J.N. Mackenzie while at masterton, and also later when they moved into the forward area. The squadron had originally formed at Ohakea under Mackenzie in April 1942, made up from the survivors of the ill-fated 488 Sqn that had been defeated in the defense of Singapore and Malaya.
North Island's East Coast
Map Coming Soon
Napier
Class: PWD Landing Ground
Administered by: New Zealand Public Works Department
Closest Major Town or City: Known as Westshore aerodrome, it was officially authorised for civilian aviation activities on the 12th of August 1935
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Link: http://www.wings.net.nz/aeroclub.html
Hastings
Class: Aero Club Landing Ground
Administered by: Hawkes Bay & East Coast Aero Club
Closest Major Town or City: Bridge Pa, Hastings
History under RNZAF usage:
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Gisborne
Class: RNZAF Permanent Operational Flying Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Gisborne
History under RNZAF usage: Known as Darton Field, the aerodrome was officially authorised for civilian aviation activities on the 23rd of July 1934. This airfield is notable in that it has a railway line crossing the middle of the runway! For the almost complete story of Gisborne's involvement with the RNZAF during the war, it is highly recommended that you read Wally Ingham's two books, 'We Also Served' and 'The Avengers'. He served at the station and both books detail the nature of this unusual and important station that protected the eastern approaches of the North Island.
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today: Darton Field still serves today as Gisborne Airport, with frequent airline services and aeroclub activity. It also has the Gisborne Aviation Preservation Society's museum. See their website here
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:No 7 (GR) Squadron
Flying Vildebeests and Vincents while at Gisborne, to protect the eastern approaches of the North Island. When No. 30 Sqn was formed, No. 7 Sqn's aircraft were taken over by the new squadron.No. 30 (DB) Squadron
Flying Grumman Avenger torpedo bombers, but in a dive bomber role (hence the DB designation). The Squadron also flew Vildebeests and Vincents, and Harvards while at Gisborne.No. 31 (DB) Squadron
Replacing No. 30 Sqn when they moved onto the Pacific, No. 31 Sqn were also flying Grumman Avenger torpedo bombers in a dive bomber role . The Squadron also flew Harvards while at Gisborne.No. 2 (BR) Squadron
After returning from the Pacific in 1944, No 2 Squadron took its Ventura reconnaissance bombers to Gisborne to act as coastal patrol aircraft.
RNZAF Station Mangaroa
Class: RNZAF Stores Depot
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Upper Hutt
History under RNZAF usage: Stores depot
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:No 3 Stores Depot
A Stores Depot set up to service the stations in the lower half of the North Island
RNZAF Station Rongotai
Class: RNZAF Permanent Operational and Ground Training Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Wellington
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today: Rongotai is today Wellington International Airport. It is rather a different place today than it was during the war. Most of the land there today was reclaimed from the sea in the 1960's when the aerodrome was expanded to become an international airport.
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:RNZAF Communications Flight
The forerunner to No. 42 Squadron, this unit flew various types of impressed civilian aircraft on communications duties from 1939, till the unit was upgraded to squadron statusNo 42 (Communications ) Squadron
Developed from the RNZAF Communications Flight, this unit also used impressed civil aircraft for communications duties. The aircraft ranged from small two-seaters to DH89 Rapide airlinersTechnical Training School
Situated within the Centennial Exhibition buildings, the Technical Training School operated from 1941, training RNZAF Flight Mechanics and other technical ground staff. Later in the war the TTS was moved to RNZAF Station Nelson to make way for the expanding de Havilland factory at Rongotai, and the school eventually ended the war at Hobsonville.No 21 Air Training Corp Touring Flight
This was an RNZAF unit, not ATC, and it flew Tiger Moths around the country to visit Air Training Corps units and give the boys flights and flying experience. One of Cambridge's airmen, Albert Hancock, served with this unit and was tragically killed in an accident while flying just such a display.Contact - The Magazine of the RNZAF
The office of the popular RNZAF magazine 'Contact' moved to Rongotai in early 1944 from RNZAF Station Rotorua and it resided on the Wellington station for the rest of the war and till its last issue was published in December 1945.Unit 39
A maintenance and aircraft assembly unit
RNZAF Station Paraparaumu
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Paraparaumu
History under RNZAF usage: unknown
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Wellington
Class: RNZAF Headquarters and RNZAF Alighting Area
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Wellington
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
The Nelson Region
***Map Coming Soon***
RNZAF Station Nelson
Class: RNZAF Permanent Operational Flying and Ground Training Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Nelson
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
No 2 (GR) Squadron operational from January 1941, flying Vincents and then Lockheed Hudsons
Technical Training School
Tophouse
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force?
Closest Major Town or City: Nelson (Tophouse is situated in the Rainbow Valley National Park)
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Takaka
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force?
Closest Major Town or City: Takaka
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Motueka
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Motueka
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Karamea
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Karamea
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Woodbourne
Class: RNZAF Permanent Flying Training Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Blenheim
History under RNZAF usage: Built specifically for the RNZAF just before the war, RNZAF Station Woodbourne was designed as a flying training facility, and it performed that very task throughout the war.
Opened as RNZAF Station: 1939
Closed as RNZAF Station: Still currently RNZAF operated, as well as partly civil
Today: Today though outwardly Woodbourne looks very much unchanged since the war, in RNZAF terms it is a mere shadow of its former self. Most of the base has sadly been civilianised by various Government cutbacks. What does remain there are the various ground training schools of the RNZAF and all new entrants begin their careers on the base. What was once No 1 Repair Depot, probably the best aviation maintenance facility in the country, has now been contracted out to civilians. The station is also now the regional airport with many regular flights from various airlines
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:No 2 Service Flying Training School
Official Website for RNZAF Woodbourne - Click Here
RNZAF Station Omaka
Class: RNZAF Permanent Flying Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Blenheim
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Delta
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Blenheim
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Fairhall
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Blenheim
History under RNZAF usage: Originally a satellite airfield for RNZAF Station Woodbourne, Fairhall became home to the new No. 16 Squadron, with their P40E Kittyhawk fighters in 1942.
Opened as RNZAF Station: unknown
Closed as RNZAF Station: unknown
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:No. 16 (F) Squadron, RNZAF
Flying Harvards and P40E Kittyhawks in the defence of Wellington, before moving up into the Pacific
Wairau Valley
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground?
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force?
Closest Major Town or City: Blenheim
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Lake Grassmere
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Blenheim
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 1938 for Wellington Territorial Squadron, RNZAF
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:Robert E. Montgomery of Blenheim has very kindly supplied this potted history of RNZAF Lake Grassmere:
"Constructed in 1938 as a landing field for the Wellington Territorial Squadron to carry out bombing practice on the Lake, with their Blackburn Baffin aircraft. With the outbreak of War and the establishment of No.2 Flying Training School at Woodbourne the airfield and bombing ranges became a busy place, administered by the Station's Armament Section.During 1941 the area was designated a Satellite Airfield of Woodbourne, and several buildings were erected. Of the groundcrew, one or two airmen lived on site at Grassmere but most came out from Woodbourne by truck each day. Trainee pilots and instructors would fly out from Woodbourne, usually for the morning or afternoon. Little (if any) night-time use was made of the ranges, and even at the height of wartime training, the airfield and ranges at Grassmere was basically a week-day operation.
Practice bombs were dropped on targets set up on the lake, with results calculated from bearings taken from several observation posts on nearby hills. Student pilots fired at sleeve targets towed behind an all-yellow Vincent in designated gunnery ranges over Clifford Bay. In addition to aircraft (mostly Harvards) of No.2 SFTS, the ranges were used by Kittyhawks of the Fighter Squadrons based at Fairhall (Woodbourne). A bomb was also dropped on the lake by a visiting B-17 Fortress.
There were several fatalities at or near Lake Grassmere, and at least one major ground accident in which a Harvard and Vincent were written off, though with only minor injuries to those involved. Use of the bombing and gunnery ranges ceased with the closure of No.2 SFTS in November, though these were still designated as such in 1947.
Post-war, the Marlborough Aero Club made limited use of the airfield in the early post-war years. What was probably the last accident at Lake Grassmere involved a Hudson of the Central Flying School, Woodbourne, which made a wheels-up landing on the mudflats through "inappropriate manipulation of the throttles." It was subsequently winched to the airfield, repaired and flown back to Woodbourne.
Since that time, Lake Grassmere has seen dramatic development and expansion of the solar salt industry, first begun there on an experimental basis in 1942. The South Island Main Trunk Railway passes over Lake Grassmere on a causeway, as it did throughout the war years. Public Works Dept Overseer for setting out the airfield in 1938 was Mr Allan Montgomery (my grandfather). Armament Officer at Woodbourne 1943-44 was Flt Lt W.R.J. (Bill) Montgomery (my Uncle); Grassmere was a major part of his "parish". Hope this is of interest. My good wishes for success in your project. Regards, Robert."
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force?
Closest Major Town or City:
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Waimakariri
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Christchurch
History under RNZAF usage:
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Eyreton (Harris Field)
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Christchurch
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Christchurch Central
Class: RNZAF Administrative Centre
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Christchurch
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Wigram
Class: RNZAF Permanent Flying Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Christchurch
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Harewood
Class: RNZAF Permanent Flying Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Christchurch
History under RNZAF usage: An ex-municipal aerodrome that became an RNZAF station at the immediate outbreak of war in 1939
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Norwood
Class: RNZAF Flying Training Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Christchurch
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Lyttleton
Class: NZ Government Landing Ground
Administered by: New Zealand Government
Closest Major Town or City: Christchurch
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Cashmere
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Cashmere Hills, Christchurch
History under RNZAF usage: A civil emergency landing ground used by the RNZAF for pilot training.
Opened as RNZAF aerodrome: 1939
Closed as RNZAF aerodrome: unknown
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Southern Group Headquarters
RNZAF Station Weedons
Class: RNZAF Stores Depot
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Christchurch
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Birdlings Flat
Class: RNZAF Bombing Range
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Christchurch
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Te Pirita (Hororata)
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: between Darfield and Ashburton
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Ashburton
Class: RNZAF Permanent Flying Training Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Ashburton
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Timaru
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Timaru
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Waitaki
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Waitaki, below Timaru
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Ranfurly
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Christchurch
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Cromwell
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Cromwell
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Waianakarua
Class: PWD Landing Ground
Administered by: New Zealand Public Works Department
Closest Major Town or City: Waianakarua
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Alexandra
Class: PWD Landing Ground
Administered by: New Zealand Public Works Department
Closest Major Town or City: Alexandra
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Waianakarua
Administered by: unknown
Closest Major Town or City: Oamaru
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Dunedin (Central)
Class: RNZAF Training and Administrative Centre
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Dunedin
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF Station Taeiri
Class: RNZAF Permanent Flying Training Station
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Dunedin
History under RNZAF usage: An ex-municipal aerodrome that became an RNZAF station at the immediate outbreak of war in 1939
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Outram
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Mosgiel
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Momona
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Dunedin
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Milton
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Dunedin
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Balclutha
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Balclutha
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Gore
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Gore
History under RNZAF usage: Already a landing ground before the war, Gore was apparently taken over by the RNZAF in 1939.
Opened as RNZAF Station: 1939
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Invercargill
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Invercargill
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Queenstown
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Queenstown
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Glenorchy
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Queenstown
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Makaroa
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Queenstown
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Jacksons Bay
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Queenstown
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Haast
Administered by: unknown
Closest Major Town or City: Haast
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Mount Cook Hermitage
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Queenstown
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Waiho
Class: RNZAF Landing Ground
Administered by: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Closest Major Town or City: Queenstown
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Hokitika
Administered by: unknown
Closest Major Town or City: Hokitika
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Westport No. 2
Administered by: unknown
Closest Major Town or City: Westport
History under RNZAF usage: u
Opened as RNZAF Station: 19
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
Dawson's Farm
Administered by: unknown
Closest Major Town or City: unknown
History under RNZAF usage: Apparently already a landing ground before the war, Dawson's Farm was apparently taken over by the RNZAF in 1939.
Opened as RNZAF Station: 1939
Closed as RNZAF Station: 19
Today:
Wartime Units Permanently Stationed Here:
RNZAF WARTIME WORKS EXPENDITURE
(New Zealand and Overseas)
£(000)
These figures are extracted from 'War Economy' on this site
£340 £944 £2,792 £649 £ 235 £ 188 £ 5,486
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