The service traces its lineage back to a 1919 report that proposed an air force for the country manned by part-time volunteers, with the first recruits arriving in 1923.

The TAF's flying squadron lasted only another nine years before the force was reduced to providing non-flying personnel like air traffic controllers and band members.

All had previously served in the First World War with the Royal Air Force and started to receive their refresher training in 1924.

[4] However, insufficient available aircraft meant that actual flying time was limited and within two years the force had diminished to nonviable levels.

[5] What was required was a more formal structure and, in August 1930, the Territorial Air Force, or TAF, was formed, based on squadrons of aircraft led by permanent staff.

The choice of second-hand examples was for financial prudence, although low hour airframes were chosen to ensure the aircraft could operate for a reasonable time in service.

[6] An Auckland Territorial Squadron based at Hobsonville was founded in June 1938 and the first aircraft arrived at Wigram to serve the unit at Christchurch in the following September.

[15] Increasing financial pressure, and the reduction in the need for defence spending, meant that the flying squadrons of the TAF were disbanded on 31 July 1957.

One key responsibility was to provide the musicians that formed the Air Force Band, a service that the TAF had performed since 1935 apart from a hiatus between 1940 and 1945.

[22] As the primary role of the force was refresher training, an extensive programme was developed to provide a wide range of skills.

Ground crews who provided service or maintenance, non-commissioned officers and other ranks were trained independently at Christchurch Technical College.

[25] Permanent maintenance staff, two non-commissioned officers, four fitters and four riggers, arrived in February 1939, shortly before the TAF was absorbed into the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

These included ex-Royal Air Force Airco DH.4s and DH.9 bombers and Bristol F.2 Fighters, that had served in the First World War and formed part of the Imperial Gift, as well as Avro 504K trainers.