Ed TaylorThe New Zealand Defence Force has confirmed the rising cost of aviation fuel is what grounded the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF) participation at the Warbirds Over Wānaka this Easter. A New Zealand Defence Force spokesman said the RNZAF’s participation in displays and flypasts was always contingent on ‘‘operational considerations’’. ‘‘We always ensure our resources are focused on maintaining operational readiness, and given the current international fuel situation, all RNZAF activities have been reviewed. He said the air force’s engagement with communities and aviation events was important to the Defence Force, and it was not a decision that had been made lightly. ‘‘The RNZAF and the American Air Force and the Australians and Singapore, they all put a lot of effort into working up displays for the airshow.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 29, 2026 16:59 UTC