Warbirds Over Wānaka 2026 drew more than 60,000 visitors and generated NZ$57.1 million in regional spending despite the late withdrawal of the United States Air Force F-22 Raptor team and all other modern military aircraft. The biennial airshow was held at Wānaka Airport from Friday, April 3, to Sunday, April 5, and continued through periods of cold and unsettled Easter weather.
The result shifted the story from a pre-event cancellation scare to one of economic resilience. An independent assessment found that direct regional spending increased by 40% compared with the 2024 airshow, even though attendance was slightly lower.
Why the F-22 Raptor did not appear
The F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team had been expected to make the advanced fighter jet’s first public appearance in New Zealand. Its withdrawal removed the most heavily promoted attraction from the programme shortly before the Easter weekend.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force and visiting military participants from Australia and Singapore withdrew as well. That left the 2026 event without active military aircraft, rather than only losing the F-22 display.
Organisers said the decisions were beyond their control and stressed that military aircraft can be redirected because of operational commitments, rising costs or other requirements. General manager Ed Taylor had previously warned that the appearance of a particular aircraft could never be guaranteed.
The event continued with its civilian and historic-aircraft programme. Because the airshow was not cancelled, organisers said the military withdrawals did not trigger automatic ticket refunds.
DC-3 grounded by a separate mechanical problem
The military cancellations were not the only late change. The historic DC-3 Spirit of Douglas was unable to travel to Wānaka after a mechanical problem was identified.
The 1942 aircraft had been scheduled to visit as part of an international tour. Its absence was unrelated to the military withdrawals and reflected the serviceability risks involved when historic aircraft travel between major events.
Airshow line-ups remain subject to weather, maintenance, pilot availability and operational demands. Organisers therefore promote a planned programme without guaranteeing every individual aircraft.
Which aircraft performed at the airshow?
The completed programme focused on classic warbirds, civilian jets, helicopters and aerobatic teams. A rare Mk. XI Spitfire travelled from the United Kingdom and became one of the weekend’s principal attractions.
The American Eagles Formation Jet Display Team performed in its L-39 aircraft, while the Southern Force Pitts Special team made its Wānaka debut. A Black Hawk helicopter operated by Mark Law of Kahu Helicopters was added as a surprise display.
Before the withdrawals, organisers had planned for up to 100 display aircraft, with approximately 70 expected to fly. The schedule was reorganised to maintain a substantial programme rather than replace the missing military appearances with a single attraction.
Attendance reached more than 60,000
Approximately 15,000 people attended Friday’s preview programme, while the full weekend brought total attendance to more than 60,000. The 2024 airshow had attracted about 64,000 people.
Friday began in favourable conditions, but rain and cold temperatures created uncertainty on Saturday. Sunday’s forecast was initially concerning, although the programme proceeded with only passing showers before conditions improved later in the day.
Taylor said the forecast likely discouraged some people from attending. However, the final turnout remained close to the 2024 level despite the loss of the military programme and the risk of poor weather.
The 2026 event welcomed the one-millionth person to attend Warbirds Over Wānaka since it began. Aviation entrepreneur Sir Tim Wallis founded the airshow in 1988, when its first edition attracted approximately 14,000 people.
Independent report measures NZ$57.1 million impact
An Economic Impact Assessment prepared by Christchurch research company The Curiosity Company found that the 2026 airshow generated NZ$57.1 million in direct regional spending. That was 40% higher than in 2024.
The increase was linked partly to stronger attendance from New Zealanders living outside the region. Their share of the audience rose from 73% in 2024 to 76% in 2026.
International visitors accounted for 8% of attendees and spent a combined NZ$8.6 million. Canterbury remained the largest domestic market, supplying 39% of visitors. Auckland and Otago each accounted for 14%.
Auckland’s share increased by two percentage points after organisers specifically promoted the event in that market. The figures indicate that attracting visitors from farther away can increase economic value even when total attendance does not rise, because those visitors often require accommodation and remain in the region for several days.
Accommodation and visitor satisfaction figures
The assessment recorded 130,517 visitor bed nights connected with the airshow, an increase of just over 1,000 from the previous event. The average stay was 4.6 nights.
A record 700 campervans were booked at the Criffel Terrace site overlooking Wānaka Airport. Spending extended beyond admission tickets to accommodation, meals, fuel, transport, retail purchases and tourism activities.
The event received an overall positive rating of 88%. Its health and safety arrangements recorded a 96% positive rating, according to the post-event assessment.
Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism chief executive Mat Woods said the event has contributed more than NZ$350 million to the local economy across almost four decades.
The airshow is part of a wider South Island tourism economy built around distinctive landscapes, wildlife and outdoor experiences. These attractions include interest generated by a recent great white shark sighting off Bluff near the southern end of New Zealand.
Waste diversion improved in 2026
A July environmental update found that the proportion of event waste diverted from landfill by weight increased from 27% in 2024 to 47.7% in 2026. Measured by volume, the diversion rate rose from 50% to 64.7%.
A new food-scrap collection service diverted 1.55 tonnes of organic waste. The material was sent for composting and was intended for use around the Wānaka area. Recycling and waste services were managed by Wānaka Wastebusters.
An independent waste audit identified further improvements that can be considered for 2028. The economic assessment also found that 23% of visitor vehicles were electric or hybrid, up from 16% in 2024.
New Zealand’s effort to balance tourism and recreation with environmental protection can also be seen in the decision to establish the Fiordland wapiti as the country’s first Herd of Special Interest.
Airshow reaches national awards final
Warbirds Over Wānaka was named a finalist in the 2026 New Zealand Event Association Awards. It was eligible for the People’s Choice award for New Zealand’s Favourite Event, with public voting closing on July 12.
The airshow previously won the Favourite Event award in 2018 and 2024. At the latest confirmed update, organisers had announced its finalist position but had not published a final result for the 2026 award.
The event is managed by a small professional team, a charitable trust board and hundreds of volunteers. Community organisations participate in delivering the airshow and can use their involvement as a fundraising opportunity.
When is the next Warbirds Over Wānaka airshow?
The next Warbirds Over Wānaka International Airshow is scheduled for April 14, 15 and 16, 2028. It will mark the event’s 40th anniversary.
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Aircraft commitments, ticket information and the flying programme will be released closer to the event. As the 2026 withdrawals demonstrated, announced aircraft remain subject to operational requirements, mechanical serviceability and weather conditions.
Confirmed updates for the 2028 anniversary programme will be published on the official Warbirds Over Wānaka website.
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