The sale of a privately owned P-51 Mustang overseas during the 1970's (following the failure of a counter-offer by a group of local enthusiasts) helped provide impetus for the formation of New Zealand Warbirds. The determination of the same group to obtain RNZAF Harvards coming up for tender spurred the final creation of the association. The inaugural meeting was held and the society incorporated in November 1978. The founding president was Trevor Bland who is now the association's Patron..

The new association was unsuccessful in securing the Harvards so Chipmunk ZK-ARL, owned by member Ernie Thompson, became the first New Zealand warbird. Soon after, a private bid for the (then) non-flyable Harvard NZ1092 was successful and this aircraft, registered as ZK-WAR,  became the first ex RNZAF warbird to come on line. Thus started the spectacular growth that has continued to this time.

In the early years, the association was a homeless oddity around Ardmore airfield, however it was well supported by both Waitemata and Airline Flying Clubs. Soon after the purchase of ZK-WAR, the fleet was boosted by another Harvard NZ1075 owned by well known aviator Phil Hewitt. New Zealand Warbirds was growing!

The ensuing years have seen countless developments for the association however, aircraft types aside, the purchase of its own home hangar and clubrooms from the Auckland Gliding Club in 1981 was a major milestone along with the subsequent purchase of a larger hangar facility and separate clubrooms. Recent years have seen a proliferation of aircraft types joining our ranks most of which have never flown in New Zealand before. Besides British and American aircraft we now see German, Chinese and Russian types as well. Growing numbers of jet fighters and trainers are being regularly added to the list. There's plenty to see!

In 1998, twenty years after we took to the air, we saw the increase of our extended family to sixty aircraft, not Counting the Alpine Fighter Collection. This represents thousands of hours flown by aeroplanes which would otherwise have rotted away largely forgotten - not to mention the thousands of hours enjoyed by our members.

The spectacular growth of Warbirds in recent years owes a lot to the impetus coming from our establishing a permanent base in Auckland and Sir Tim Wallis' re-introduction of the P-51 Mustang to New Zealand skies in 1984. Sir Tim's efforts have grown into the Alpine Fighter Collection, a private collection that has helped raise the profile of classic Service Aircraft in this country, particularly with Tim's inception of the now famous 'Warbirds Over Wanaka' air shows held bi-annually in breath-taking surroundings. Both groups have helped each other with an exchange of knowledge, hardware and organisational skills over the years.

More of the same with the organisation's principal objectives remaining paramount throughout. There will greater emphasis on professional standards of operation and management with an equal determination to attract a larger family membership and involvement. Efforts will be made to encourage a growing pilot membership for the future as keeping warbird aircraft flying is what we're all about. We will continue to support other branches and encourage the formation of new groups and remain in constant touch with them.