Given how little I’ve read about Kiwi contributions, I didn’t expect to find many WWII sites in New Zealand at all, if any. Even my pre-travel research yielded little information. However, since I’ve been here traveling around the country, my list of World War II museums, memorials, and more that I’ve come across just by chance continues to grow!
As it turns out, New Zealand is pretty proud of its military history (as it should be). So wherever you are in New Zealand, you’re sure to find a museum or memorial of sorts where you can learn more about it. While I’m sure this list is just the tip of the iceberg, here are a few great WWII sites in New Zealand you should definitely check out – everything from the wonderful to the weird.
New Zealand in World War II
As soon as word had spread that Britain had declared war on Germany after Germany’s invasion of Poland (9/1/39), New Zealand followed suit. Because New Zealand was (and still is) a member of the British Commonwealth, it was quick to pledge its loyalty.
When Japan attacked the US at Pearl Harbor, New Zealand likewise declared war on Japan as a show of loyalty to Britain’s most trusted ally. Soon, New Zealanders were fighting in all branches of the military, and in all theaters of war.
New Zealand Overseas
New Zealanders most famously fought in the air with the Royal Air Force (as well as the New Zealand Royal Air Force); on the water with the Royal Navy; and on the ground as part of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
They fought in Europe, including Britain, Greece, and the Monte Cassino, Italy campaign. They fought in North Africa. And they fought all over the Pacific, assisting the US with its island-hopping campaign. They also committed to fight alongside the US in Operation Downfall–the planned invasion of the Japanese home island of Kyushu.
New Zealand at Home
At home, New Zealanders mobilized for a total war effort. The Home Front’s main job was supplying food products for those in the UK. But while there was indeed strong participation in the war effort, there was also dissent and detention. Hundreds of conscientious objectors and outspoken pacifists ended up in detention camps. The same goes for ‘enemy aliens’–those assumed to be of Japanese, Italian, and German descent.
All said and done, about 140,000 New Zealanders fought overseas, while 100,000 defended New Zealand as part of the Home Guard. Of them, 194,000 were men, 10,000 were women, and 104,000 served in the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force. By the end of the war, nearly 12,000 New Zealanders had been killed.
As usual, this is just a super brief summary of New Zealand’s participation in the Second World War. Obviously, there’s much more to learn. For a deeper dive into NZ’s WWII history, check out this website or see the list of suggested books at the bottom of this post.
Map of WWII Sites in New Zealand
This map contains all the WWII sites in New Zealand that I mention in this post. To save this map: Click on the star ⭑ next to the map’s title to save in your Google Maps. To use this map: When you get here, open Google Maps on your phone, click “Saved” at the bottom, then click “Maps.”
WWII Museums in New Zealand
New Zealand is a nature-lover’s paradise, but if you need to spend some time indoors during your visit, these 5 WWII museums are great places to do it.
1. Auckland War Memorial Museum – Auckland
The War Memorial Museum in Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city’s largest museum. It covers New Zealand history from as far back as dinosaurs and ancient civilizations all the way up to the present. However, a large part of the museum focuses solely on World War II.
Here, you’ll find the World War II Hall of Memories which includes several memorials, an honor roll, and some beautiful stained-glass windows. There’s an informative WWII gallery that tells the story of the war, a Spitfire gallery (a plane you’ll quickly learn holds a special place in the hearts of New Zealanders), a Japanese Zero gallery, and the Holocaust Gallery which holds the stories and artifacts of Jewish refugees who came to New Zealand.
This museum is enormous so plan to spend a good bit of time here, especially if you want to see all that this museum has to offer. You can find the World War II gallery on Level 2. For all the current visitor information you need, see this page: aucklandmuseum.com/visit/culture.
2. National Army Museum – Waiouru
Like the other military-focused museums in New Zealand, the National Army Museum covers the entirety of New Zealand’s military history. In addition to exhibits on the New Zealand Wars, the Anglo-Boer War, and WWI (to name a few), they also dedicate a great deal to World War II.
At this museum you’ll be able to learn more about New Zealand’s WWII contributions in Greece, Italy, North Africa, Italy, the Pacific, and at home, as well as their experiences as Prisoners of War. Outside the museum you can check out tanks and other pieces of war machinery.
This museum is pretty easy to get to; it’s located in the center of the North Island right off Highway 1, the main road connecting Auckland and Wellington. For all other visitor information you need, see this page: armymuseum.co.nz/visit/visit-us.
3. Air Force Museum of New Zealand – Christchurch
As you’d expect from the name, this museum focuses all things related to New Zealand’s Air Force history. (Definitely the best of the WWII sites in New Zealand for av-geeks.)
This museum contains a huge collection of historical aircraft, all found in the Aircraft Hall, originally built as an airplane hangar during World War II. There’s also the Horizon to Horizon gallery where you can learn all about New Zealand’s military aviation history through artifacts, photographs, archival film footage, and dioramas.
For all the visitor information you need, see this page: airforcemuseum.co.nz.
4. Geraldine Military Museum – Geraldine
The Geraldine Military Museum also covers a wide range of New Zealand military history, but does so on a much smaller scale. This is the kind of small-town, grassroots military museum where they encourage you to interact with the pieces on display (my favorite kind actually).
You’ll get to see several vehicles, clothing and uniforms, artillery, and tons of other kinds of personal artifacts in a rotating collection. (If you’ve been here before, it’d be worth another visit to see different stuff!)
The town of Geraldine is about halfway down the east coast of the South Island between Christchurch and Dunedin. For all other visitor information, see this page: geraldinemilitarymuseum.co.nz.
5. Biggin Hill Historic Aircraft Center – Ohakea
The Biggin Hill Historic Aircraft Center is a bit different from the other WWII sites in New Zealand. While it is a museum, technically, visiting requires a few extra steps. Because this one is on an active military base, visits are by appointment only.
If this interests you and you can score an appointment, you’ll get to see their collection of historical aircraft including a Supermarine Spitfire and a P51 Mustang. You can learn much about the NZRAF’s history on the museum’s website as well as get information about arranging a visit. (But their FB page is better for photos of their aircraft and their behind-the-scenes restoration work.)
WWII Memorials in New Zealand
You’ll quickly learn that New Zealand’s WWI history is much more prevalent than its history from WWII. (World War II was a much bigger effort on NZ’s part but many more New Zealander’s died fighting in WWI.) But you can still find WWII memorials here.
6. National War Memorial Park – Wellington
In the center of New Zealand’s capital city (Wellington), you’ll find the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. Within this park you’ll find:
- National War Memorial
- British Memorial
- American War Memorial
- And several others dedicated primarily to WWI victims
The National War Memorial is the tall carillon structure you see. It was dedicated in 1932 to honor those who served in the First World War, but has since incorporated those who died serving in WWII, the South African War, and the Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia Wars. Inside is a Hall of Memories and the tomb of the unknown New Zealand warrior.
As of my visit in December 2024, the National War Memorial was temporarily closed while they earthquake-proof the building. The building is set to reopen in December 2025. You can still visit all the outdoor areas in the meantime though. For more information, see this page: wellingtonnz.com/visit/see-and-do/pukeahu-national-war-memorial-park.
The British Memorial incorporates a design that includes two of the most iconic trees from New Zealand and the UK. (And was built by Weta Workshop.) If you stand at the right place (where you can read the plaque next to it), you can see the silhouette of a soldier in the empty space within the sculpture. This memorial honors the union of these two countries who have fought together throughout history.
The American War Memorial specifically honors the union between New Zealand and the US in fighting in the Pacific Theater of World War II, as well as New Zealand’s role as a critical base for American forces.
While here at the National War Memorial Park, it’s also worth checking out the other memorials too: the French, Australian, Belgian, and Turkish Memorials, and the Pacific Islands Memorial (the big seashell).
7. POW Memorial Park – Featherston
The prisoner of war camp in Featherston, New Zealand held captured Japanese soldiers during World War II. Dating back to the First World War when it was built for military training, it was reestablished as a POW camp in WWII as the behest of the US Army.
Within the first year of its reopening, more than 800 Japanese soldiers had been imprisoned here, most of them after capture in the South Pacific. Featherston was a labor camp, and when a group of prisoners went on strike in February 1943, an “incident” ensued which resulted in the deaths of 48 Japanese prisoners (with 74 more wounded). Today, the camp no longer stands but the site now functions as a memorial park.
You can find informational signs that explain the history, several memorials, and a Sakura (cherry blossom) peace garden. For more on the history of the Featherston POW Camp, see this page: nzhistory.govt.nz/memorial/featherston-camp-memorials-and-sakura-garden.
8. Kāhui St David’s – Auckland
Kāhui St David’s–also known as Soldier’s Church–is today a community center but housed in a former Presbyterian Church. When the church was built in 1920, it was done so as a memorial to soldiers who died during WWI.
Later, additional memorials were added to honor those killed in WWII as well, including several plaques and a stained-glass window. See their website for more info: kahuistdavids.nz.
9. Dunedin Cenotaph – Dunedin
The Cenotaph in Dunedin is the city’s main war memorial and honors those from Dunedin who fought and died in both world wars. It consists of a 92-foot tall Carrara marble memorial, several crosses and relief sculptures, and a capsule underneath containing some historical documents.
10. Glenorchy WWII Memorial – Glenorchy
If you find yourself taking a day trip out to lovely little Glenorchy from Queenstown in the South Island, definitely stop by the small WWII memorial. You can find this most subtle of WWII sites in New Zealand on Mull Street to the right of the Glenorchy Café. There’s also an informational sign that talks about Glenorchy and WWII.
In addition to supplying its men for NZ’s armed forces, Glenorchy also contributed to the war effort with the output from its mine and quarries.
Other WWII Sites in New Zealand
Here are a few more WWII sites in New Zealand that aren’t museums or monuments but are still worth checking out while you’re here.
11. McDonald’s – Taupo
Yes, I’m listing McDonald’s as one of the WWII sites in New Zealand you should visit, but hear me out. The McDonald’s location in Taupo, New Zealand has earned the distinction of “World’s Coolest McDonald’s.” And that’s because you can eat your Big Macs inside a WWII plane!
At the Taupo McDonald’s, you’ll order like normal inside the restaurant, then you can either eat inside the regular restaurant or take your meal up to the plane that’s been refitted with tables and chairs.
The Taupo McDonald’s is a WWII-era Douglas DC-3 (which is better known for its wartime configurations as a C-47). Inside the plane, you’ll find tables and chairs at which to eat, but also tons of information on the plane’s history, historical photographs, and a full-size viewing window into the cockpit.
The United States Army Air Force acquired this particular plane in 1943. It flew its last flight in 1984 after more than 56,000 total flying hours. It was acquired by McDonald’s in 1990 and refitted for restaurant use.
Helpful information
Need to know: There’s no air conditioning inside the plane so it can get pretty toasty in the summer. If that bothers you, just eat your meal inside the restaurant and check out the plane beforehand or afterwards.
Pro tip: The signs say the plane is only open from 9am to 4:30pm but I visited on a Friday at 6:15pm and it was open. I’ve heard from others that they’ve visited outside the posted hours and it was also open. So, if you want to make sure you get to go inside the plane, visit during the posted hours. But, if you can only visit outside those hours, it may still be open, so give it a shot! Otherwise, the restaurant is open 24 hours.
12. Lonestar Spitfire – Christchurch
Lonestar is an American-themed restaurant chain you’ll see all over New Zealand. As you’d expect, the themed menu here is completely nuts and the food was hands down the worst I’ve had in all of New Zealand. So, just a heads up. But that’s not why I’m listing it here among the WWII sites in New Zealand.
The Lonestar location near the Christchurch airport is actually called Lonestar Spitfire. What makes this location different from all the rest is that it has a Spitfire theme – Spitfires being the aircraft of choice of New Zealanders fighting in WWII for the RAF. (A British fighter plane at an American-themed restaurant? Trust me, that’s not the only thing wrong with this place, but I digress.)
Outside the Lonestar Spitfire restaurant you’ll find an actual Spitfire plane to check out. Inside, you’ll find little planes hanging from the ceiling, Spitfire lampshades, and various other nods to NZ’s favorite WWII plane. Here’s the info you need to visit: lonestar.co.nz/restaurants/spitfire.
13. Spitfire Beer – All Over
Though this isn’t one of the WWII sites in New Zealand you can physically visit, I still want to mention it. Maybe for relaxing on your hotel balcony, consider picking up a Spitfire beer.
Easily found in New Zealand’s supermarkets (I got mine at the New World in Cromwell), Spitfire beer is a highly rated amber ale from the Shepherd Neame brewery in Kent, UK. It was originally brewed in 1990 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, but became so popular it never went out of circulation. More on Spitfire beer here: shepherdneame.co.uk/spitfire-collection.
Be careful where you drink it though. New Zealand has some pretty strict alcohol laws.
14. Historical Wharf Plaques – Wellington
Taking a stroll along Queens Wharf in Wellington, you’ll come across several commemorative plaques relating to World War II. One such plaque, on the wall of the Maori Arts Gallery facing the water, remembers that, at this location in May 1942, the US Marine Corps used this as their base for fighting in the Pacific.
Another is from the US 2nd Marine Division and states: “To the people of New Zealand, if you ever need a friend, you have one.” There are still others on NZ’s maritime history that don’t necessarily pertain to WWII but are worth a read if you’re here.
15. Wellington Wharf WWII History – Wellington
Further down Wellington’s Wharf you’ll find two large informational signs (just in front of the SS Hikitia–the floating crane). These displays explain the importance of New Zealand’s ports at Auckland and Wellington in World War II.
They also tell the story of the Liberty Ship that “almost remodeled central Wellington” and how they averted disaster during the July 7, 1943 explosion and fire. It’s a fascinating story! I’ll leave the photos here for you to read. But definitely stop by in person if you find yourself in Wellington.
16. Honorable mentions
World War I was the most significant historical event for New Zealand, most notably the Gallipoli campaign. New Zealand lost almost 17,000 of its men with another 41,317 wounded. Because of this, you’ll see far more memorials and monuments to the First World War than you will the Second.
In addition to the WWII memorials I mentioned above, you’ll also find WWI memorials all over, in all the small towns and other random spots. However, because WWII was such a major event as well, most of these WWI memorials now have plaques adding commemoration to WWII victims.
So, if you see what looks like a war memorial while you’re traveling around New Zealand, most likely it was erected to honor those killed in WWI, but you’ll probably also find some notation of WWII on it as well. Here’s an example I found in Taihape:
Where to stay in New Zealand
There’s an endless selection of great hotels near these WWII sites in New Zealand, so I’ll just narrow this list down to the ones at which I personally stayed (and would recommend). All are included in the map at the top of this post so you can get an idea of their location.
- Auckland – Sudima Auckland Airport Hotel – Instant access from the airport, nice property, great breakfast
- Christchurch – Sudima Christchurch Airport Hotel – Really nice property, great laundry facilities, big rooms
- Taupo – Hilton Lake Taupo – Big, comfortable rooms, great location, good breakfast
- Queenstown – Holiday Inn Express – Brand new property in a great location
- Wellington – Copthorne Hotel Oriental Bay – Huge rooms, amazing views, lovely staff
For everywhere else in NZ, check out all your options here on Booking.com (my favorite hotel site).
WWII Sites in New Zealand: Further reading
If you’d like to learn more about New Zealand in World War II, check out some of these books:
- The New Zealand Expeditionary Force in World War II by Wayne Stack, Barry O’Sullivan, and Mike Chappell (2013)
- New Zealand in the Pacific War: Personal Accounts of World War II by Bruce M. Petty (2008)
- Beyond the Battlefield: New Zealand and Its Allies 1939-45 by Gerald Hensley (2009)
- New Zealand and the Second World War by Ian McGibbon (2004)
- The Front Line: Images of New Zealanders in the Second World War by Susan Lemish and Glyn Harper (2021)
- War Memorial: A Chronology of New Zealand and World War II by Laurie Barber (1989)
More info for your visit to New Zealand
- Hotels: Find great places to stay on Booking.com (my go-to). Expedia and Hotels.com are worth checking too. VRBO is best for vacation rentals.
- Rental cars: Check out the best local rental car deals here.
- For more local tours, check out all the options from Viator and Get Your Guide.
- Don’t forget a New Zealand guidebook and this must-have NZ customs and culture guide!
Like this post? Have questions about visiting any of the WWII sites in New Zealand? Let me know in the comments below. Have a great trip!
Save this info, pin these images
