New Zealand Space and Advanced Aviation Strategy 2024 to 2030
The New Zealand Space and Advanced Aviation Strategy sets out the steps the government is taking to support the development of our space and advanced aviation sectors and supporting principles for our wider space interests.
The Minister for Space announced the release of the New Zealand Space and Advanced Aviation Strategy in September 2024.
The Strategy reflects the content of 2 previous documents, the Aerospace Strategy and the National Space Policy, while clearly setting out the government’s ambitions for the space and advanced aviation sectors.
Role of the New Zealand government
A range of government agencies have an interest in space and advanced aviation.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
The New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA) sits within MBIE and leads on:
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Space policies: NZSA develops space policies that both supports the effective implementation of the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017 and development of the sector.
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Space and high-altitude sector development: NZSA leads on policies to develop the New Zealand space and high-altitude sector, attracting international companies to invest in New Zealand, and engaging on international science investment programmes.
- Space regulation: The Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017 governs the regulation of New Zealand space and high-altitude activities. MBIE (through its Space Regulatory Systems team) is the regulator, including for all payloads launched from New Zealand.
The Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017(external link) — New Zealand Legislation
Ministry of Transport (MoT)
MoT develops policy and regulations for transport, including emerging aviation technologies.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)
MFAT contributes to the development of international space policy, including engagement on space security, from space debris to the weaponisation of space, through United Nations space fora and engagement with international partners.
Ministry of Defence (MoD)
MoD ensures New Zealand’s strategic defence interests are reflected in space policies. Along with the New Zealand Defence Force, it leads engagements with strategic defence partners.
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)
New Zealand Intelligence Community (NZIC)
The NZIC ensures national security interests are reflected in space policies and supports the safe development of the space sector.
The NZIC includes the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), and New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS). Under the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017, the NZSIS and the GCSB undertake national security risk assessments as part of the regulatory process.
National Security Assessments(external link) — New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
National Cyber Security Centre(external link) — Government Communications Security Bureau
Ministry for the Environment (MfE)
MfE engages on the use of aerospace technologies to meet New Zealand’s environmental goals, including on climate change and on the ozone layer.
Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK)
TPK ensures the interests of whānau, hapū and iwi are reflected in policy development, including through kaitiakitanga to enable protection and appropriate use of mātauranga and other taonga.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
MPI engages on the use of aerospace technologies to benefit New Zealand’s primary industries.
Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)
LINZ engages on the use of aerospace technologies to inform land information and management.
