This National Space Policy is an important milestone in New Zealand’s journey as a space-faring nation. It provides, for the first time, an accessible overview of the New Zealand government’s values and objectives on space.

New Zealand’s involvement in space has grown markedly since the decision by Rocket Lab to launch their small orbital rockets from New Zealand, and the subsequent creation of the New Zealand Space Agency to support the passage, and implementation of, the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017.

A 2019 report produced by Deloitte found the New Zealand space sector contributed $1.69 billion to the national economy in 2018–19 and supported 12,000 jobs. Due to New Zealand’s increasing role across the space value chain (from manufacturing through to end use of space data), it is anticipated that these economic benefits will continue to grow.

The New Zealand government will use this document as the reference to consistently communicate New Zealand’s interests both on and offshore, to inform the creation of future space policies, and the overall direction in this important sector of our economy.