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South Canterbury Aviation Heritage Centre - Timaru

Name: South Canterbury Aviation Heritage Centre - Timaru
Address: Falvey Road, Timaru, 7975, NZ
Telephone: +6421571893

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South Canterbury Aviation Heritage Centre - Timaru

A record of local aviation history in the home of New Zealand's first aviator, Richard Pearse. Entry $5, cash only.

Entry fee $5.00
Group bookings by appointment-email via link or phone Jeremy 021 571893
Open on Tuesday 2 -4 pm. Sundays closed until further notice
Public Holiday closed
New members welcome
Chairman Jeremy Talbot
Vice Chairman Kevin Collins
Workshop manager Jeff McDonald
Events manager Hamish Cameron
Membership Managers Graeme Brookland and Dave Gabites

Not for profit registered incorporated society

08/09/2026

A peek at some of the displays we have at the Aviation Heritage Centre, all created by a hard working team of volunteers. If you would like to come and have a look in person, we are open Tuesday afternoons 1:30-4pm, and the third Sunday of every month.

The South Canterbury Aviation Heritage Centre is a non profit organisation and registered charity. We are always looking for volunteers to join our team. If you have an interest in aviation, history, or just want to contribute to the community and hang out with a neat bunch of people - get in touch, we would love to hear from you ✈️

04/09/2026

Next project…. The Timaru airport Control Tower. We are looking for equipment to replicate the original airport Control Tower. George Haslam was the superintendent when the Tower was fully staffed and functional. We are currently waiting on re-carpeting then we will be able to get what we have already set up for display. Some of the photos are of the Hokitika Tower which was identical. If you are able to contribute items please get in touch. Mark your calendars: our next open Sunday is 20th October and the Rangitata military revival is 14-15 November. Rangitata Military Revival military Exhibitors Timaru Civic Trust Timaru History and Memories Temuka History and Memories Geraldine District History Temuka Courthouse Museum Aviation Tours NZ The Aviator General Aviation News Air New Zealand Aviation News Update Aviation News and Photography Group New Zealand History and Genealogy New Zealand History Photos

28/08/2026

Remembering some aviators from 1940’s. DFC Pl Of KW Trigance, Temuka (1.8.1940), DFC Acting Fl Lt William Thomson Brown, Timaru (25.10.1943, bar added 19.1.1941), DFC Pl Of John Henry Low Timaru (20.5.1943), DFC Fl Of Owen Raymond Chapman, Geraldine (20.7.1943), Caterpillar Club, (saved by a parachute) Pl Of JM Kerr, Timaru (11.12.1941), DFC SQ Ldr TB Fitzgerald, Temuka (8.5.1942), Fl Off DGA Ritchie, Timaru, Corsair crash (12.1.1945), Prisoners Rugby NZ v Australia, Pl Of H. Newman, Timaru (12.6.1942), Air casualties Fl Sg James Menzies (16.5.1942), Air Personnel draft Fg Off DJ Galbraith, Fl Lt WJG Knox, Fl Lt RD Milne, WO LA Todd all from Timaru (9.3.1945). Pl Of DL Shears, Timaru, Fl Lt OJ Chapman, Geraldine, Fl Lt RWF Cameron, Hakataramea, Fl Sgt SM Hurst Oamaru (16.4.1945), Coastal Command Sqn Ldr MA Ensor DSO DFC + bar (31.1.1945), Advisor to bomber command Group Cpt SC Elworthy DSO DFC AFC Timaru (26.10.1942). Tell us your stories, we would love to record them. Papers past holds a wealth of information and stories, these are from The Timaru Herald archives Timaru Civic Trust Venture Timaru Timaru History and Memories Geraldine District History Temuka History and Memories Temuka Courthouse Museum Mackenzie District RSA RSA - Canterbury District Oamaru RSA Hub RSA We Love Timaru South Canterbury R.S.A

25/08/2026

On the 6th of March 1914, James William Humphrys Scotland (known as Will) made the first delivery of mail by air in New Zealand. Will was making an attempt on New Zealand’s long distance flying record and was attempting to fly from Timaru to Christchurch. He took off from Fraser Park in his Caudron biplane and while over Temuka dropped a letter near the railway station, addressed to Mr Andrews. Will’s trip to Christchurch took much longer than anticipated when he had to make an emergency landing shortly afterwards at Orari. But he eventually made it to Christchurch with a total flying time of 2 hours and 5 minutes.

New Zealand’s first “official” air mail flight for the Post and Telegraph Department didn’t occur until December 1916.

21/08/2026

A big thank you to those that braved the cold last weekend and visited the museum. We hope you enjoyed your visit and that you will pass on the word to family and friends. We need your support. Here are some photos taken last Sunday. We are open Tuesdays 1.30 to 4 pm. The next open Sunday will be 20th September - 10 to 4 pm. Entry $5 adult child $2. Cash or internet banking. We welcome pre-arranged group visits, contact us for more details. Perhaps you could Become a member, work on projects and/or host open days.

14/08/2026

Open 10 am to 4 pm Sunday 16th August. $5 Adult $2 child, cash or internet banking. (Sorry No Eftpos). Today we would like to thank Don McGowan for donating these books for the library room.

11/08/2026

FLYING FIRSTS IN SOUTH CANTERBURY!

Aviation has a rich history in South Canterbury. Many of us in the area are familiar with the story of Richard Pearse, our local aviation hero. But did you also know about these other flying firsts?....

1) Richard Pearse, local inventor, genius and aviation pioneer was the first New Zealander to fly. Richard took flight in his home built aeroplane on March 31st 1903 at Waitohi. Some of Richard's early contributions to flight are still in use today.

2) In March 1914, Will Scott dropped the first letter delivered by air in New Zealand, dropped at Temuka from his Caudron biplane.

3) New Zealand’s first airline, the New Zealand Aero Transport Company began in Washdyke in 1920.

4) In September 1955, Sir Harry Wigley made the first landing on a glacier in the Southern Hemisphere. He landed his Auster Aiglet on Tasman Glacier using homemade retractable skis attached to the undercarriage.

Pretty neat, South Canterbury!

Want to learn more? Come along to the South Canterbury Aviation Heritage Centre and explore more of our unique local aviation history. We are open this Sunday 16th August 10am- 4pm.

07/08/2026

Derek Heaton provided the model for his father Percy Heaton’s uniform. Percy was the base chef. We modified a surplus stand from Heaton Street pharmacy. Thank you to Grant Stewart for assisting with the modifications. Flanking the model are volunteers Chris Brownie and Graeme Dellow. Derek we would like some more info on your fathers aviation journey please. Thank you to Angela Harman for providing the shoes, a perfect fit.

04/08/2026

Skycraft Scouts were one of the first types of ultralight aircraft, developed in Australia in the 1970’s. The Scout was the first ultralight in the world to meet airworthiness regulations and approximately 200 were commercially produced in the mid to late 1970’s.

Keith from NZ Civil Aircraft recently published a series of blog posts about Skycraft Scouts. We have a Scout on display at the South Canterbury Aviation Heritage Centre which features in this story. You can read the full blog series on Scouts at this link: https://nzcivair.blogspot.com/2026/07/microlight-aircraft-of-new-zealand_0898800722.html?m=1

31/07/2026

Aviation genius Richard Pearse died 29.7.1953. During his lifetime his amazing foresight was misunderstood. The Aileron, NZ Patent July 1906 No. 21476 (moveable wing tip and flaps) is still used today. His aviation equipment, stored at his Wildberry Street, Christchurch home, ended up with George Bolt then MOTAT Auckland museum. In 1971 Richard’s earliest aeroplane was excavated from an Opihi creek by Maurice Cameron, Gordon Ogilvie and Tom Bradley. Thank you to Rhonda McCully for the donation of the book The Riddle of Richard Pearse. One of the next projects we hope to undertake is a replica of his powered bicycle. If you have the correct size bicycle frame please get in touch. Timaru Civic Trust Venture Timaru Timaru History and Memories Temuka Courthouse Museum Temuka History and Memories Geraldine District History Christchurch History in Pictures

Address

Falvey Road
Timaru
7975

Opening Hours

1:30pm - 4pm

Telephone

+6421571893

Website

facebook.com

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