British heavy metal band Iron Maiden will return to New Zealand in February for the first time in 16 years to play shows in Auckland and Christchurch.
Iron Maiden, who are from east London and rose to fame in the 1980s, have released over a dozen albums whichhave sold in their tens of millions.
The New Zealand visit is part of the last leg of the Somewhere Back in Time world tour and the band will arrive here in their own customised Boeing 757 plane - called Ed Force one.
The plane will be piloted by vocalist Bruce Dickinson, and will include crew and 12 tonnes of stage set and equipment.
Iron Maiden founder Steve Harris said it was disappointing to not get here during a 2005 tour but the country's isolation issues had been overcome so it could be included this time around.
"At least we have our own plane with our crew and a few beers on board to keep us entertained on the way down there," he said.
Iron Maiden play on February 20 at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland and the following night at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.
