Cadets from Australia, Belgium, France and the United States were treated to some Central Otago hospitality at a dinner at the Clyde hall last Thursday.
The foreign cadets are touring New Zealand as part of the International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) programme.
No50 Alexandra Squadron unit commander Jill Checketts said it was awesome to have New Zealand cadets meet like-minded people with similar interests as well as show what opportunities were in store as the cadets got older.
Sqn Ldr Checketts said cadets and their parents contributed food for the dinner.
"We try to show the southern hospitality."
For the first time since 2019, the IACE cadets were hosted by families around Central Otago, giving them an experience of life in a New Zealand household.
Leading escort officer Flight Lieutenant Miguel Buick said while in New Zealand, foreign cadets would take part in aviation activities and visits to Royal New Zealand Air Force bases as well as show them some of the country along the way.
Two of the visiting cadets were Kyan Deleul from Belgium and Nuveena Cleminson from Australia.
Mr Deleul said New Zealand was his first choice and he was happy to come to New Zealand as many of cadets wanted to come there.
New Zealand was Ms Cleminson’s second choice, but she said she was thankful she got the opportunity to visit as she had family here.
The touring cadets were at the start of their tour of New Zealand, having spent two days in Christchurch before arriving in Central Otago.
In Christchurch the cadets visited the Air Force Museum and the Canterbury Aero Club as well as Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, where the group saw kiwi.
"They all got to see kiwi, which was the one thing that they wanted to see while they were here," Flt Lt Buick said.
The cadets then spent two days in Central Otago, before returning to Christchurch.
While in New Zealand the IACE group will be visiting Blenheim, Wellington, Ohakea, Taupo and Rotorua before finishing in Auckland, Flt Lt Buick said.
