Two WAAF meteorological assistants prepare to release a weather balloon, 1942

Women's Women's Auxiliary Airforce (WAAF) servicewomen, 1945

A member of the WAAF, specially trained as an instrument repairer, checking the sights of an air camera, 21 Aug 1941

WAAF (Women's Auxiliary Air Force) was approved by War Cabinet in Jan 1941

Mrs Frances Ida "Kitty" Kain (1908-1997) was appointed Superintendent on 18 March 1941

WRNZNS (Women’s Royal New Zealand Naval Service) formed on 11 April 1942

Miss Ruth Herrick appointed Director on 26 May 1942. Service initially named Women’s Royal Navy Service (New Zealand)

WAAC (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps) formed in July 1942

Mrs Vida Jowett was appointed Chief Commander on 1 July 1942

16 Jan 1941: Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) was approved by the NZ War Cabinet

Initial aim was to employ women in mess rooms (preparing & serving food) to free up more men for service overseas

Women to also be employed in clerical trades & jobs of domestic nature

28 Jan 1941: Prime Minister Fraser announced the WAAF service would commence

It would begin at the Air Force Station at Rongotai & then extended to other Stations where practicable

30 Jan 1941: Evening Post reported the Women's Army Service Auxiliary received a flood of enquiries

(PM Fraser had announced registrations to be sent to nearest branch of Women's War Service Auxiliary)

18 March 1941, Superintendant appointed: Frances Ida "Kitty" Kain (b. 1908) who had BSc Home Science (Otago Univ, 1933)

After postgrad training in dietetics in Melbourne, Kain was dietition in charge at Hobart General Hospital until 1935

Kain was recommended by her employer Dr Muriel Bell, Director Nutrition Research at Univ of Otago Medical School

In 1935 Kain married a Dunedin mining engineer & lived in Malaya. She returned NZ to give birth; then worked with Bell.

An Assistant Superintendent was also appointed: Mrs Elsie Naomi Carlyon

She had enlisted as a clerk with WAAF on 28 January 1941

In Jan 1944, it was announced that Elsie Carlyon had taken over command of the WAAF

Kitty Kain had left the WAAF in Dec 1943 when pregnant with her second child

Photo of Wing Officer Elsie Carlyon with the rank of Wing Commander

Rank of "Superintendent" became 'Wing Officer" after WAAF joined RNZAF in Oct 1942

Large group of women sitting at desks filling out WAAF application forms at RNZAF Station Wigram, 30 June 1941

Minimum age was 18 & upward limit was determined by physical fitness. As well as single women, some were married.

The average age of a WAAF: 1941 (27 years), 1943 (23 years ) & 1945 (27 years)

By July 1943, the WAAFs numbered 3,652 (Source: NZ Year-Book 1946)

By end of 1942 WAAFs were serving on 21 stations in NZ & overseas in Fiji & Norfolk Island (Photo: Wellington, c. 1943)

Between 1941-1945, a total of 4,727 women enlisted in WAAF (Source: NZ Year-Book 1946)

After formation of WRNZNS (Naval) & WAAC (Army) in mid-1942, WWSA took over the recruiting for all 3 auxiliaries

Ethnicity of recruits not recorded. However, 186 Māori women since identified as belonging to WAAF.

See article: Angela Wanhalla & Stacey Fraser, "An Invisible History: Wāhine Māori in the Air Force during World War II"

More than 100 WAAFs achieved commissioned officer rank, after WAAF incorporated into RNZAF in Oct 1942

Officers were mainly in encoding & decoding. (Photo: Officers' School of Instruction at RNZAF Station Levin, March 1943)

In April 1941, the initial draft of 200 women underwent 3 week training course at RNZAF base at Rongotai in Wellington

The Centennial Exhibition buildings adjacent to the aerodrome provided additional accommodation for the RNZAF

The recruits were kitted out in uniform & underwent a medical & dental examination & inoculation

Wearing WAAF uniform after joining the Air Force Station at Rongotai in 1942

Training of WAAF recruits at RNZAF Station at Rongotai was overseen by Station's Superintendent Mrs E Julius

Instruction was given in drill & discipline, including lectures on regulations, service etiquette, & Air Force law

Photo: Group of WAAFs in front of the Exhibition building, RNZAF Station Rongotai

Afterwards, the women were sent to other stations, including 41 to Harewood, Christchurch

Photo: WAAF on parade at Harewood Air Force Station, Christchurch, 1941

WAAF band marching down Cashel Street, Christchurch, 30 March 1942

Group of members of the WAAF at the dinner to celebrate the first anniversary of the WAAF. RNZAF Station Wigram, 1942

During the course of the war, 4727 women had enlisted. At its peak in July 1943, the WAAF numbered 3652.

Photo: Reviewing officers during a WAAF passing out parade at RNZAF Station, Levin, 23 Aug 1943

Sir Apirana Ngata (National, Eastern Māori) spoke against young Māori women going to work in the cities & Armed Forces

At the aerodromes he found they were mainly doing housework, "but what girl did not like to appear in uniform?" (1943)

By Feb 1944, number of recruits dwindled due to demand from non-military industries & training was disbanded at Levin

WAAFs parading in Wellington, c. 1940s

Initially, WAAF recruits lived at home or found lodgings, but had meals at the RNZAF Station

On 16 June 1941, club rooms at W.A.A.F. House were opened at Rongotai

The recreaton and rest rooms occupied the former Centennial Exhibition's Free Kindergarten building

Description of the opening ceremony of the W.A.A.F. House by the Minister of Defence (Mr. Fred Jones)

Official guests included Mr. J. Norrie (City Librarian) & Mr G. T. Alley (Officer in Charge of Country Library Service)

Later, accommodation was provided onsite at RNZAF stations for the WAAFs

(Photo: WAAF personnel outside Air Force housing, 1942)

Jan 1943: Two women looking at books in a twin accommodation room, possibly at No. 4 Radar Station, Piha

Books & magazines were supplied by the War Library Service, coordinated nationally by the Country Library Service

No date: New WAAF Hostel in Wellington

c.1943: Sleeping quarters (bunks) for members of the WAAF in Wellington

c.1943: WAAF accommodation in Wellington

(Photo: Officers' Mess staff: Three women & a man looking at a document on the ground at RNZAF Station Wigram, 1945)

Gardening & harvesting food

Working in a vegetable garden, 1942

Pushing a barrow of compost while gardening, 1942

Driver wearing newly issued uniform loading a crate into the back of a vehicle at RNZAF Station, Whenuapai, c. Oct 1942

WAAF driver hoses down a car at RNZAF Station Whenuapai, ca. Oct 1942

Driving a tractor at RNZAF Station Whenuapai, 1942

Flight Lt AFH Tye DFC checks a bomb fuse with WAAF driver. No. 1 Operational Training Unit, RNZAF Station Ohakea, 1943

Three women refuelling Hudson NZ2054 at RNZAF Station Whenuapai, 1942

A WAAF cleaning the gauges on a fuel tanker trailer at RNZAF Station Hobsonville, c. Oct 1942

Mechanics

WAAF mechanic working on a vehicle engine at RNZAF Station, Whenuapai, c. Oct 1942

A WAAF mechanic and an RNZAF airman, working on (presumably) the radio location station's power generator, 8 Jan 1943

Two WAAF aircraft hands with an aircraft wheel at RNZAF Station, Ohakea, Oct 1942

A member of WAAF repairing a plane at Wigram aerodrome, c. April 1943

Group of women working on Dh84 Dragon, NZ550, in the Major Inspection Workshop at RNZAF Station Wigram, 2 July 1941

A member of the WAAF using a teleprinter, 1943

WAAF teleprinter operator, 8 Jan 1943

WAAF using a teleprinter, 1946

Training to qualify as an instrument repairer took three months

Working in the Instrument Section at RNZAF Station Whenuapai, 1942)

Two women working on a compass in the Instrument Section at RNZAF Station Whenuapai, 1942

A WAAC member working with a drill press at RNZAF Station, Ohakea, Oct 1942

WAAF equipment assistant issuing flying kit at RNZAF Station Hobsonville, c. Jan 1943

Personnel with a tool board, believed to be at RNZAF Station Whenuapai, 13 Sept 1944

Parachute packers

WAAF parachute packers airing parachutes at RNZAF Station Hobsonville, c. Dec 1942

WAAF parachute packer at RNZAF Station Nelson, c. Oct 1942

WAAF parachute packer at work at RNZAF Station, Whenuapai, c. Oct 1942

WAAF parachute packer at work at RNZAF Station Whenuapai, c. Oct 1942

WAAF parachute assistant demonstrates the quick release mechanism on a parachute to a group of Air Training Corps cadets

WAAFs train as radio operators

WAAF in the back of a truck have their papers checked at the gates of the radio location station, Jan 1943

WAAF wireless operators standing in front of an aeroplane ready for a training flight, 1942

Although ground station operators, "they must know something of the job of the man in the air"

WAAF at RNZAF, Hobsonville, Jan 1942

WAAF at RNZAF, Hobsonville, Jan 1942

WAAF radio location operator believed to be at No. 4 Radar Station, Piha, 8 Jan 1943

WAAF radio location operator, 8 Jan 1943

WAAF radio location operator, c. 8 Jan 1943

WAAF radio location operators, 8 Jan 1943

WAAF plotters in a Filter Room, 8 Jan 1943

WAAF plotter in a Filter Room at Northern Group Headquarters, Auckland, 8 Jan 1943

WAAF plotters in a Filter Room at Northern Group Headquarters, Auckland, 8 Jan 1943

WAAF plotter in a Filter Room with location board headed "Waikino" and "17 Squadron", 8 Jan 1943

A member of the WAAF encoding a tape with a perforating machine, 8 Jan 1943

A member of the WAAF standing by a ship's telegraph believed to be in Auckland, 1942

WAAF meteorological assistant using a theodolite at RNZAF Station Nelson, c. Nov 1942

WAAF meteorological assistant writing down readings, 1942

WAAF meteorological assistant plotting weather movement on a chart, 1942

WAAF photographic assistant removing prints from an automatic washing bath, 1942

WAAF photographic assistants mixing photographic processing chemicals, 1942

WAAF photographic assistant removing photographs from a print glazing machine at RNZAF Station Whenuapai, Jan 1943

Marine craft - The Air Force had its own fleet, from small dinghies to whale-boats & 25-knot motor launches

This entailed being able to recognise running faults & to be able do running repairs on each type of craft

Air Force women & men undertook a seamanship course at Marine School, RNZAF Station, Hobsonville

They had to pass a special test swimming 50 yards in all their clothes

Training included salvage, beaching for repairs, sweeping for lost torpedoes, laying & picking up moorings for seaplanes

Also how to use charts & compass, navigate in & out of harbour, visual signalling, first aid, & artificial respiration

In late 1942 an instructress trained in handicrafts & domestic arts was appointed to organise leisure-time activities

Victoria University College lent the instructress for 2.5 years with funding from Sarah Ann Rhodes Trust

The instructress organised physical recreation & trained WAAF staff as instructors who were then posted to stations

She usually stayed 10 weeks with each large unit in rotation, taking classes during the WAAFs' spare time

Handicrafts & dresses designed & made by the WAAFs were often displayed at the end of her visit; e.g. mannequin parade

Many women learned how to make clothes for themselves & do different forms of needlework

WAAFs could also take Army Education and Welfare Service courses in handicrafts, music, & art

Photo: Musical hour. The song being played is 'Beneath The Lights Of Home' (In A Little Old Sleepy Town), 1942

Pacific War Art exhibition (Dec 1944) included art & craft work from NZ stations & an exhibition of WAAF art needlework

The exhibition was held in the National Art. Gallery at the D.I.C.

Group of WAAF personnel attend the opening of Pacific War Art exhibition

Playing the guitar during a musical hour, 1942

Māori choir group gathered around a piano, 1943

A member of the WAAF listening to the wireless, 1942

Off duty members of the WAAF listen to the wireless in the radio location station's twin quarters, 8 Jan 1943

Members of the WAAF in Levin, 1942

Leisure time at a radio location station for members of the WAAF, 8 Jan 1943

Rifle training

Members of WAAF having target practice at a rifle club, 1942

Members of the WAAF check their aim on the target board, 1942

In Jan 1943, 19 WAAFs were sent to Fiji to serve as drivers, equipment assistants, shorthand typists & clerks

Going to Fiji was also a recruitment stimulus, as WAAC (formed July 1942) were already posted to Middle East & Pacific

Only volunteers from WAAF & those aged between 23 and 33 were eligible

Photo: WAAF employee receiving embarkation instructions from Wing Officer Kain (left) before heading overseas to Fiji

Tour of duty in Fiji was for up to 18 months but was usually for 12 months due to the tropical conditions

Photo: The WAAF personnel receive last instructions from Wing Officer Kain (left)

Time period in Fiji was later reduced to 9 months to allow more WAAFs to serve overseas

Number increased to 77 & roles were predominantly wireless, telephone & teleprinter operators, & cipher officers

Also served as meteorological observers & medical orderlies

Photo: WAAF personnel in the supply store at Suva, Fiji, c.1943

Photo: WAAF driver with her truck MT1228. Suva, Fiji, c. 1943

WAAF detachment of up to 9 women served on Norfolk Island - 4 cipher officers, 4 medical orderlies, & a clerk-librarian

Later the numbers increased to 94

Letter to a friend describes the flora and fauna of Norfolk Island, Aug 1944

Betty Black was released from WAAF in 1941 to go to England to join the Air Transport Authority

She had obtained her 'A' pilot licence in 1936 & served as an equipment assistant with the WAAF until end of 1941

After passing ATA's flying exam & medical, Black was accepted in 1942 and served until 1946

She began work as a taxi pilot; then trained on Spitfires and other aircraft. (Photo: Black, second from the right)

June Howden was the second woman released from WAAF go to the Air Transport Authority which she joined in Dec 1943

She had qualified as a pilot in 1936 prior to joining WAAF. On arriving at ATA's base. she met Betty Black.

A parade of the Women's Auxiliary Airforce past the Government buildings in Wellington, c.Jan 1945

Elsie Carlyon at Day's Bay, Wellington, in the summer uniform of a senior WAAF officer., 1944-45

WAAF servicewoman, 29 Aug 1945

At the end of the war in 1945, the majority of the WAAF demobilised

Photo: A thank-you card to the WAAF from Sir Keith Park (Air Chief Marshall)

However, a small number of WAAF stayed on

Photo: WAAF annex at RNZAF base at Hobsonville. c. 1946

WAAF Sergeant Officer W P Smith, c. Aug 1947

Under the Air Force Amendment Act 1947, WAAF became a permanent part of the RNZAF

Women of the WAAF marching at The Royal New Zealand Air Force Base at Shelly Bay, Wellington, 1948

In 1949 Wing Officer Frances Kain (NZWAAF) was awarded an OBE for her military services

After the War, she was involved in educational work, & died on 16 Aug 1997 aged 88 at Eastbourne, Wellington

Group of original members of first intake of WAAF at RNZAF Base Wigram for 25th Anniversary celebrations, 26 June 1966

In July 1977 the WRNZAF was dissolved and all members were integrated into the RNZAF

(Human Rights Commission Act 1977 outlawed discrimination on grounds of sex, marital status and religious belief)

In 1987, first women train as RNZAF pilots & navigators. By 2008 there were 4 female wing commanders & a group captain.

From 1988, women could fly combat aircraft & train for combat (but not serve in combat situations)

In 1989, Chief of Defence Force announces NZDF to no longer use Human Rights Act to prevent women from going to combat

From 2000, women could serve in combat in the NZDF (Defence Force Order 05/2000)

In 2007, Government passed legislation for women’s full participation in front-line combat roles

To increase number of women, NZDAF established the Women's Development Steering Group in 2013

In Nov 2016, the Directorate Diversity & Inclusion was formed & launched 'Operation respect" strategy to integrate women

(RNZ article (7 April 2015): The number of women signing up to armed forces in the past decade is virtually stagnant)

In 2017, Female Engagement Team launched at NZ Special Service Regiment to develop employment capability across NZDAF

On 9-13 July 2017, RNZAF held 1st 'School to Skies' holiday programme to increase the number of women

RNZ interview with Squadron leader, Rebecca (George) Magdolinos who oversees 'School to Skies' (19 Oct 2020: 10:40mins)

RNZ article (19 April 2023): 40 school students attend 'School to Skies' held at the Ōhakea Air Force Base in Manawatū

NZ Defence Force introduced Wāhine Toa & Tāne Toa programmes to enhance participation of women & men across the NZDF

(Graph: 23.7% of women in NZ Defence Force are in the Air Force, as at 30 June 2024)

Book of interviews with WAAFs: "Spreading their wings New Zealand WAAFs in wartime", by Bee Dawson (2004)

Article on Air Force women in World War II (23 Dec 2011)

Article 'What is courage" celebrates 70th anniversary of the WAAFs (6 Jan 2012)