Phase one features a 3,000sq m (32,300sq ft) display area and a static collection of original and replica aircraft as well as flyable aeroplanes from the WW1 era.

The first exhibition – Knights of the Sky – includes one of the world’s largest private collections of rare WW1 aircraft.

The collection is managed by the 14-18 Aviation Heritage Trust, which received a NZ$2m (£703,000, 1m euro, US$1.4m) regional initiative grant from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

The visitor attraction comprises part of a new aviation business park, which will carry out aircraft restoration and feature vintage and war bird experience flights.

Photograph: a reproduction of the Etrich Taube, which was built in Germany and first flown in 1910. It was shipped to New Zealand in 2005

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