Hobsonville was established as a seaplane station in 1928 and was the RNZAF's primary flying boat base in New Zealand until 1967.

Construction of Whenuapai as a base for Vickers Wellington bomber aircraft began in 1937, the hangars being built in 1939.

[further explanation needed] Whenuapai was expected to close as well, with the Labour Government attempting to centralise the RNZAF at Ohakea.

[3] Infrastructure company Infratil and Waitakere City Council studied the feasibility of developing Whenuapai into a commercial airport if the RNZAF moved to Ohakea.

Additional funding will also improve areas to the flight line and aprons after a $30 million upgrade on the main runway and taxiways was completed in 2012.