Te wāhi ki te kāwanatanga | Role of the New Zealand Government
Government has an important leadership role to play in developing an internationally competitive aerospace sector that is thriving, innovative and safe.
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Government can support sector development through support for research and development, innovative procurement and investment, workforce development, maintaining an enabling business environment, facilitating strong international partnerships and connections and maintaining a supportive regulatory regime.
Positioning our aerospace sector to take advantage of opportunities will require future-focused, proactive regulation that enables the sector to develop safely while mitigating a range of national security risks. Continued investment in our regulatory agencies will be important to ensure our policy and regulatory systems keep pace with technology development to maintain the safety and security of New Zealanders.
The Government has a key role to play in identifying and supporting greater participation for those under-represented in the sector. Work is also needed to address barriers to inclusion for young people, women, Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled people and LGBTQIA+/Takatāpui/MVPFAFF+ along the education to employment pipeline. Partnering with industry to identify and address barriers for these communities will enable a wide range of ideas and world-views to support innovation in the sector.
In growing Aotearoa New Zealand’s aerospace sector, our aerospace activities must also be consistent with Aotearoa New Zealand’s international obligations, domestic laws and other policies across government. Consideration of our national interests, including national security and Aotearoa New Zealand’s foreign policy, will be important as sector development plans are designed and implemented.
The Strategy aligns with and supports other government policies. A list of related strategies, papers, government policies and regulations will be updated on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website throughout implementation of the Strategy.
NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and US Ambassador Stewart Udall.
Photo credit: Ola Thorsen/US Embassy
Government involvement in aerospace
The Aerospace Strategy aligns with a range of related government strategies, papers, policies and regulations.
There are a wide range of government agencies with interests in the aerospace sector.
The leading agencies for developing the aerospace sector are:
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Leads on economic development, research and innovation policy, research and development investment, business support, space sector development, and space policy and regulation.
Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport
Develops policy and regulations for transport, including emerging aviation technologies.
The supporting government agencies with interests in the aerospace sector are:
Civil Aviation Authority
Ensures the safe entry and operation of aircraft within the aviation system as the regulator.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)
Supports New Zealand interests in aerospace, including through leading New Zealand’s engagement in multinational fora, supporting plurilateral and bilateral engagement on issues, and managing export controls, space agreements and trade agreements.
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE)
Supports aerospace firms with access to international markets and supply chains, including through business development grants, business advice and marketing.
Callaghan Innovation
Supports innovators with commercial advice as well as research and development assistance and funding.
Ministry of Defence (MoD)
Ensures New Zealand’s strategic defence interests are reflected in space and aerospace policies. Leads engagements with strategic defence partners alongside the New Zealand Defence Force.
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)
Uses aerospace systems assets to enable the efficient and effective performance of its core functions in close co-operation with partner militaries. Facilitates a significant amount of industry training and workforce development in the aviation sector.
New Zealand Intelligence Community (NZIC)
Ensures that national security interests are reflected in policies and supports the safe development of the space sector, including through undertaking national security risk assessments. The NZIC includes the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), and New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS).