Our regulatory regime supports the growth of a safe, responsible, and secure space industry that meets our international obligations and manages any liability arising from our obligations as a launching state.

The following provides an overview of national interest considerations and processes, in particular for regulating payloads for launch in New Zealand, or by New Zealand entities overseas.

An opportunity is now available for New Zealand researchers to partner with NASA on Earth observation research.

The government today opened consultation on the Aotearoa New Zealand Aerospace Strategy at the inaugural New Zealand Aerospace Summit in Christchurch, with further financial support for the ambitions of the sector also being announced.

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 below summaries are for all payloads and other licences approved between 1 July and 30 September 2024.

We’re committed to keeping New Zealanders informed about the range of payloads launched into space from New Zealand.

The New Zealand and UK space agencies have signed a blueprint for the removal and servicing of operational satellites that are very close together or making contact with one another.

The government has announced four trans-Tasman space research projects and is calling for proposals for 4 more collaborative studies, focused on Earth observation.