Air Force Museum of New Zealand
There’s a powerful sense of history at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, an event space and dinner venue that adds equal amounts grandeur and sophistication.
Step into the Atrium here and you can’t help but feel it – this uplifting sense of occasion and tradition. For an inspiring conference or a gala dinner in Christchurch, this is surely one of the more unique destinations on offer.
Alongside the Atrium is the Conference and Events Hall which provides an impressive 1,500m2 of floor space. This is an elegant backdrop for trade exhibitions, conferences and gala dinners; a suitably high-end function room that is incredibly versatile.
Images
Walkthrough
Getting Here
The Air Force Museum of New Zealand is located at 45 Harvard Ave, Wigram, Christchurch
Plan Ahead
If you are attending an event at the Air Force Museum, always allow more time that you expect to get to and from the venue and aim to arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the event. Traffic can be heavy on the main arterial routes to the venue especially, Main South Road and Blenheim Road during peak commuter travel periods.
No matter how you make you way to or from the venue, we request out of respect to the residents surrounding the venue that you keep noise to a minimum when arriving or departing the area.
By Car
There is a large complimentary car park on site however space is subject to availability.
Depending on the size of the event, an overflow car park may be opened in the field next to the main car park of the Air Force Museum. In this instance, signage and Vbase hosts will help direct you.
Disability Parking is available in the main carpark closest to the entry doors of the Museum. Only vehicles with the appropriate Mobility Pass should park in these areas.
Taxis are welcome to drop you off in the Air Force Museum car park. If you require a taxi pick up post event we recommend you book this well in advance as taxis to avoid a long wait time.
By Bus
The Metrostar, 5 Hornby, and 81 Lincoln, buses travel down Main South Road. Hop off at the stop when you see the orange and silver Harvard aircraft, then walk for 5 minutes down Harvard Ave. The Air Force Museum is then located on your left, approximately 350m from the corner of Main South Road.
Admission is free to the Air Force Museum Monday to Sundays 10am - 5pm. If you would like to find out more information about the museum visit www.airforcemuseum.co.nz
Accessibility
The Air Force Museum provides wheelchair accessibility throughout the venue. Accessible bathrooms are just inside in the main entrance, and another just off the
Aircraft Hall. As you enter the Museum, you will find a lift located on the left, next to the Museum gift shop.
Parents Information
Baby Change facilities are located in the accessible toilets of the bathrooms located inside in the main entrance, and another just off the Aircraft Hall. If you need bottles or baby food heated please see the staff located at the Contact Cafe.
The Contact Café
A range of food options is available from Contact Café. The Contact Café is located in the foyer of the main entrance and is open Monday to Sunday, 9am – 4pm. A daily selection of fresh cabinet food is available such as sandwiches, rolls, and sweet items, as well as a bistro menu.
If you would like to know if Contact Café is open or if you have any other queries, please phone 03 343 9545.
Conditions of Entry
Air Force Museum is smokefree at all times, this includes the use of Vapes & E-Cigarettes
Please note while we endeavour to communicate as much as possible, Promoters and Event Owners/Operators may amend these Conditions of Entry at short or no notice for reasons of safety and security.
Dress Code
All persons entering Air Force Museum must be appropriately dressed. The right of admittance is reserved to Vbase staff and decision will be final.
In particular no person will be permitted entry to the Museum with:
- Bare feet
- Clothing containing offensive messages (or gang patches)
- Inappropriate costume
Behaviour
Patrons may be refused entry to or asked to leave the Museum if they:
- Are not in possession of a valid ticket or pass
- Are the subject of a current trespass order
- Attempt to bring in, or are found with, prohibited items
- Appear intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, or otherwise behave in a disorderly or offensive manner
- Refuse to undergo a breathalyser test.
- Fail to comply with security or entry staff requests, including submission to a search
- Are carrying out illegal or unauthorised activities within the Museum
Age Restrictions
- Anyone aged 13 or under needs to be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Permitted Items
- Personal compact cameras and phone cameras
Prohibited Items
- Food & beverage
- Alcohol or Illegal Substances
- Flasks / Thermos
- Animals (except guide or hearing dogs)
- Chairs/Stools/Furniture
- Offensive Signs or Banners
- Whistles / Musical Instruments / Air Horns / Vuvuzelas
- Selfie sticks/ Flares / Fireworks / Laser Lights
- Dangerous Goods / Weapons / Anything that appears to look like a weapon
- Gang patches
- All commercial/professional grade recording devices including but not limited to video cameras and DSLR/SLR cameras with detachable lenses.
Last reviewed October 2017
Floor Plan & Capacities
Capacities
|
Space |
Area (m2) |
Banquet |
Boardroom |
Classroom |
Theatre |
|
Conference & Events Hall |
1,500 |
800 |
- |
900 |
1,000 |
|
Conference & Events Hall - from January 2019 |
1,260 | 650 | - | 770 | 1,000 |
|
Aircraft Hall |
875 |
650 |
- |
- |
790 |
|
Atrium |
625 |
250 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Brevet Lounge |
180 |
80 |
30 |
50 |
90 |
|
Donaldson Room |
60 |
- |
20 |
- |
- |
|
Theatre |
154 |
- |
- |
68 |
98 |
|
Morrison Room |
180 |
80 |
30 |
70 |
130 |
*These numbers are indicative only, and room capacity will depend on your event requirements.
Floor Plan
View the Floor Plan - PDF View the Data Sheets - PDF

Floor plan from January 2019

Food & Beverage
Whether you’re here as a guest for an event, or you’re the one organising it, we’ve got you sorted and we’re not joking when we say it’s all about choice…
Coming to an event at Air Force Museum?
Open daily and located just off the Atrium, Contact Café provides great coffee with a daily selection of fresh cabinet food and a bistro menu.
Offering free Wi-Fi and an array of comfortable spaces, including plenty of space for prams and wheelchairs, Contact Café is ideal for a relaxing break during your Museum visit, business lunches, ‘mums and bubs’ coffee groups or just a social catch-up.
Planning an event?
If you’re organising a special event then you’ve got some choices to make. Head on over to our Vbase Catering page and get inspired!
Health & Safety
With so many precious guests walking through our doors every day we take our responsibilities very seriously.
You may be coming to a conference, a gala dinner or wandering the musuem's displays so we’re here to ensure you not only have an amazing time but also a safe one at Air Force Museum. We’ve done our research, collaborated with the right people and put measures in place so we can confidently stand by our Health & Safety Statement of Commitment.
We hope you don't have to but if you have any questions or concerns about your experience at Air Force Museum then please do get in touch so we can take the appropriate actions to ensure everyone's safe and sound.
If you’re planning an event however, then you’ll also need to be on board with all our policies and procedures so head on over to the Organisers & Exhibitors tab to get the low down >>
Organisers & Exhibitors
Whoever said the devil’s in the detail must’ve worked in events!

Whether you’re planning your stand at the next big expo, or you’re organising the entire event from scratch, there can be a lot of information you need to take in. Here we try to break it down a little and make the process just a bit easier for everyone.
Before you think you’ve got it covered though please remember - as with any event planning, your specific requirements may differ from what’s listed here – every event is unique and your event is definitely a bit more special!
Food & beverage options
It's all about choice. We have created our menu pack to suit the huge range of events we host here at Vbase so you can choose from a pre-set menu package, or customise your own menu from a large selection of individual items. Head on over to our Catering page and get inspired!
Exhibitor information
How many sockets do you need at your stand? Do you know where you can park to get that show stopper display into the venue? We know it’s those tiny details that can make a huge difference to your experience when you’re exhibiting so the guide below is exactly that. A guide to what the venue has included for your use, what’s available for those additional requests and how the venue team operate to get everyone packed in and out safely.
Air Force Musuem Exhibitor Guide
Health & Safety
Do you know where our responsibilities merge with yours? With the new legislations in play we’ve taken extra care and attention to making sure you have everything covered ahead of your next event. Here’s a sample of documents you may come across when planning your next event at a Vbase venue but your evetn Coordinator will be in touch to let you know exactly what applies to your event.
Smart Stuff Check it House Rules - Smaller Events House Rules - Larger Events Health & Safety Policy Suite
A variety of smaller breakout areas and meeting rooms are also available. Depending on your requirements, with all seats in an upright position and all tables safely stowed away, these spaces can suit anywhere from 10 to 130 guests.
Parking is plentiful here too. Be it room for a Mini or a Lockheed Hudson, you’ll have no trouble finding a place to disembark.
If you’d like to plot a course for this destination get in touch today.













