Unfortunately the Royal New Zealand Air Force is a shell of what it was even ten years ago.
> Unfortunately the Royal New Zealand Air Force is a shell of what it was even ten years ago.
Hobsonville and Whenuapai AFBs are in Waitakere City, where I live. The former was turned into a yacht manufacturing industrial park and lo-income housing. The latter faces a similar fate. Our city council is trying to work a deal with the airforce to turn Whenuapai into a mixed Civilian/Military airport.
The fighter wing is no more — all those warbirds are still mothballed, no buyer in sight.
I believe this was an act of spite by a government that sees little need for a military capability beyond peacekeeping. Our Prime Minister is on record as having observed that “New Zealand exists in a remarkably benign strategic environment.” I believe she is very wrong, and I hope we do not find this out the hard way.
Perhaps a change in government (which is looking increasingly possible) will bring about a reversal of fortune for our Air Force. I sure hope so.