Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre is an aviation museum in Blenheim that displays military aircraft, personal belongings of noted pilots, and rare artifacts from both World Wars across multiple hangars. The collection includes restored planes alongside authentic wartime equipment and period objects that reveal how aircraft were used and maintained during these conflicts.

The museum was established in 2006 and focuses on aviation history from the early 20th century through the Second World War. A significant portion of its collection comes from the personal holdings of German Baron von Richthofen and includes aircraft and memorabilia connected to both World Wars.

The centre connects visitors to New Zealand's aviation heritage by telling personal stories of pilots and soldiers who flew and served during wartime. The displays reveal how aviation shaped local and global history through the experiences of individuals who lived through these events.

Wheelchair access is available throughout the site, making the exhibition comfortable to explore for all visitors. Plan to spend several hours to fully view the different hangars and examine the detailed displays at your own pace.

Life-sized figures created by Weta Workshop, a renowned New Zealand film effects company, bring the aircraft displays to life with historical accuracy. These detailed mannequins show pilots and soldiers in authentic positions and add a human dimension to the wartime scenes.