The South Island premiere of the movie Top Gun Maverick screened in Wānaka last night (Tuesday May 24) to support the region’s biggest event, Warbirds Over Wānaka (WOW).

WOW general manager Ed Taylor said he had been talking with Paramount Pictures for the past couple of years about hosting the movie as a way of raising funds.

“Basically we have had no ticket or other airshow revenue since 2018 but we have been very fortunate in having some fabulous funders and sponsors who have come to the party to ensure the airshow will be back in two year’s time,” Ed said.

QLDC councillor and member of the Warbirds Over Wanaka commentary team Craig 'Ferg' Ferguson with 'Maverick' at Tuesday night's premiere.

The cancellation of the 2020 and 2022 WOW airshows due to the Covid-19 pandemic has left the event organiser low on funds and Ed estimates that last night's event has raised “around $10,000”.

“Andrea and Calum MacLeod at Wānaka’s Cinema Paradiso were more than happy to help out making all three screens available at no cost,” he said.

“Wānaka Signs and Wānaka Marquee and Party Hire have also supported us for the event.”

More than 150 Wānaka locals turned out for the fundraiser and were some of the first New Zealanders to see this year’s most anticipated blockbuster movie ‘Top Gun Maverick’.

PHOTOS: Supplied