Flight Simulator’s latest World Update gives New Zealand a bit of a makeover

Abraham Smith

Developer Asobo’s tireless stroll around his digital globe, touch-up brush in hand, continues with the release of Flight Simulator’s World Update 12, available now, bringing a series of improvements to his rendition of New Zealand.

The New Zealand redesign marks the 12th World Update to be released for Flight Simulator since its launch in 2020, and follows similar refreshes for – breathe deep – Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

World Update 12 brings similar additions to previous updates, ie new high-resolution satellite and aerial imagery and improved digital elevation models. It also includes seven new cities with improved photogrammetry – Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Nelson, Queenstown, Tauranga and Wellington – and nine new handcrafted airports.


Microsoft Flight Simulator – New Zealand World Update Trailer.

If you are wondering, these come in the form of Gisborne Airport (NZGS), Milford Sound Airport (NZMF), Martins Bay Aerodrome (NZMJ), Gorge River Airstrip (NZQE), Rotorua Airport (NZRO), Lake Tekapo Airport (NZTL) , Whangarei Airport (NZWR), Westport Airport (NZWS) and Quintin Lodge Airstrip (T004).

And that’s not all! World Update 12 also adds 62 new handcrafted Points of Interest, including, yes, Hobbiton Village (see the end of this story for the full list), plus four new Landing Challenges, three new Bush Trips, and three new Discovery Flights Auckland, Queenstown, and Lake Benmore.

World Update 12, which follows last year’s massive update to the 40th Anniversary Edition, is free and available now for Xbox Series X/S, PC and Cloud Gaming. Coinciding with the update, Asobo has also released its newest Local Legends aircraft, the DHC-4 Caribou, available for purchase through the Flight Simulator Marketplace.

And finally, as promised, the full lineup of handcrafted points of interest coming in today’s World Update 12:

  • Akaroa Dolphins Cruise
  • Akaroa St Patrick’s Catholic Church
  • Akaroa waterfront
  • Auckland Harbor Bridge
  • Auckland War Memorial Mus.
  • Balclutha Road Bridge
  • beehive
  • Large bottle of lemon and paeroa
  • Cape Egmont Lighthouse
  • Cape Reinga Lighthouse
  • Cardrona ski area
  • Castle Point Lighthouse
  • Christchurch Cathedral
  • Coronet Peak ski resort
  • Cromwell Big Fruit Sculpture
  • Dog Island Lighthouse
  • Dunedin Courthouse
  • Dunedin train station
  • Durie Hill Memorial Tower
  • Edith Cavell Bridge
  • Farewell to the Spit Lighthouse
  • First Church of Otago
  • Fo Guang Shan Temple
  • Forsyth Barr Stadium
  • gates of hell
  • Hobbiton village of Matamata
  • hole in the rock
  • Hopwood clock tower
  • Huntly Power Plant
  • Invercargill Water Tower
  • Kawarau Gorge Suspension Br.
  • Kerikeri Mission Station
  • Larnach Castle
  • Majestic center
  • Mohaka Viaduct
  • Mount the Cargill transmitter
  • Mount John Univ. observatory
  • Mount Kaukau transmitter
  • puree by NZ Te Papa Tongarewa
  • New Power Station Plymouth
  • New Zealand Parl. Library
  • Parliament building of New Zealand
  • North Harbor Stadium
  • Ohaki Power Plant
  • Ohakune carrot
  • Otira Viaduct
  • Rakaia Bridges (Road and Rail)
  • Rugby League Park
  • skyscraper
  • Queenstown skyline
  • Sugar Loaf Radio
  • Taiaroa Head Lighthouse
  • Taramakau Road Railroad Bridge
  • Tekapo A power plant
  • The Church of the Good Shepherd
  • The Remarkables ski area
  • Tiritiri Matangi Lighthouse
  • Titahi Bay transmitter
  • Tiwai Point aluminum smelter
  • TSS Earnslaw, Lake Wakatipu
  • Justification of the Waitangi Treaty
  • Wellington Regional Stadium & Train Station

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