In May 2001 the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand decided to disband the Royal New Zealand Air Force's air combat force by withdrawing its Douglas A-4K Skyhawk fighter aircraft and Aermacchi MB-339 trainers without replacement. This followed a debate over whether 28 General Dynamics F-16 A/B Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft should be leased from the United States to replace the Skyhawks. The RNZAF's air combat units were disbanded in October 2001, and many of the aircraft were eventually sold.
A former United States Navy A4 Skyhawk on loan to the RNZAF Museum. It is displayed in the early RNZAF Colour Scheme at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand
A-4K with 75 Sqn RNZAF
One of the 28 F-16 aircraft originally intended for sale to the Pakistan Air Force. Earmarked for lease to the RNZAF in 1998 as NZ6524. Now utilised by the United States Navy Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center.
Helen Clark
The Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 10 December 1999 to 19 November 2008. Labour Party leader Helen Clark negotiated a coalition with Jim Anderton, leader of the Alliance Party. While undertaking a number of substantial reforms, it was not particularly radical compared to previous Labour governments.
Ministry in October 2005
Helen Clark, prime minister from 1999 to 2008