The government's pledged a $1.5 million to Marlborough's Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.

The money will expand the Aviation Centre to include World-War-Two hangar exhibition, serving as a function centre.

The Centre's matched the government's investment and expects a national return of over $7 million by 2020.

Trustees Chairman Brian Greenall says they're simply delighted.

"It means that we can progress the plans that we set in place quite some time ago.

"Also the fact that we're a living, breeding museum. We fly planes, we do all sorts of things just beyond displaying, so this will enable us to enhance all those experiences."