One of the world’s most impressive fighter jets has been confirmed for its first visit to New Zealand for Warbirds Over Wanaka this Easter. Event general manager Ed Taylor said having the USAF F-22 Raptor Demo Team performing on all three days of the airshow was a real coup. Warbirds over Wanaka general manager Ed Taylor is over the moon about the USAF F-22 Raptor Demo Team taking part in this year’s show over Easter weekend. Two Raptors would make the trip to New Zealand and would operate out of Christchurch International Airport, he said. At a cost of more than $NZ200 million each, the Raptor is the only US-built fighter not sold to other countries.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 13, 2026 19:23 UTC