Near my accomodation in Christchurch, albeit 8km from the centre of Christchurch itself, is the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. As at April 2018, it is a work in progress, expanding, but there is still plenty to see. The history is interesting, and the numbers of pilots and others from New Zealand involved in the World Wars is salutary – giving the lie to the idea of plucky Britain standing alone. The museum does a great job in livening things with the stories of individuals, though there are facts and figures as well. Those from combat operations are poignant in themselves, and also because those squadrons are now retired; most with the end of WW2, but some more recently, when New Zealand removed its combat capability.

A gallery of some of the sights to see is below.