The nimble Zero fighters were used in the air-raid on Pearl Harbour and airshow organisers say the aircraft is expected to attract enthusiasts from far and wide to Wanaka, as there are only three airworthy examples in the world.
The aircraft is being transported from the United States in a special container and will be assembled at Wanaka Airport.
Airshow organisers spent months in delicate negotiations with the aircraft's owners and were thrilled to have secured it as the show's centrepiece, the event manager Mandy Deans said yesterday.
The Mitsubishi Zero fighter is one of the World War 2 classic fighter planes and was feared by Allied airmen in the Pacific.
It was designed by Jiro Horikoshi and when introduced into service was the best carrier-based fighter in the world.
Its design combined excellent maneuverability and very long range.
The aircraft were also utilised for kamikaze operations.
Japan produced 11,000 Zeros between 1940 and 1945.
Today, a few exist in museums around the world but only three are airworthy.
In September 1945, the Royal New Zealand Air Force recovered a Zero at Bougainville and after shipping to New Zealand it was only flown once from Woodbourne.
It is now in the Auckland Museum.
Therefore, the Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow at Easter will be the second time a Zero has flown in New Zealand.
The Zero joins about 65 other aircraft on display at the airshow and will perform on all three days of the event.
