Poor weather has forced the cancellation of the start of one of New Zealand's largest air shows.

Wings over Wairarapa was expected to attract crowds of thousands at Masterton this weekend.

Instead organisers have been left "bitterly disappointed" by the cancellation of day one.

The Saturday night show, which is a separated ticketed event to the day show, will now be held on Sunday night.

"Unfortunately the weather has played a significant role today and we are all devastated the air show is not on," event manager Jenny Glasson said.

"We are all praying to the weather gods that the sun will peek through tomorrow."

The packed schedule includes parachute drops, UK autogyro display, GliderFX extreme acrobatics and AreoSPARX aerial ballet with smoke and music.

A decision on Sunday's event will be made on Sunday morning.