The statue of Sir Keith Park was erected in Trafalgar Square where it will remain for six months before moving to a permanent site in Waterloo Place, close to New Zealand House.
Sir Keith was born in Thames in 1892 and educated at Otago Boys High School and served at Gallipoli and the Somme in World War 1 before becoming a pilot and shooting down 20 enemy aircraft.
Sir Keith was an air vice marshal in the Royal Air Force and commanded its No 11 Fighter Group during the Battle of Britain in 1940.
His tactical brilliance and inspirational leadership were credited with playing a vital role at a time when the Luftwaffe threatened to destroy Britain's air defence system.
The campaign for a statue was led by London financier Terry Smith supported by New Zealand's Parliament.
Mr Smith described Sir Keith was a remarkable man and was modest about his achievements.
