Ngā pou | Aotearoa New Zealand Aerospace Strategy pillars

To achieve the ambitions of the 2030 future state, we need to build on Aotearoa New Zealand’s strengths in aerospace, address the needs of the sector and identify opportunities for the future. The pillars will enable collaboration between the sector and government to address cross-cutting enablers that will benefit from a coordinated approach.

We want to enable Aotearoa New Zealand’s aerospace sector to thrive in the fast-moving international industry, and support the rapid prototyping, validation and commercialisation of new technologies. The investments in research and development and wider support for business over the next decade will stimulate co-investment and will pave the way for change.

We will focus on:

• Actively supporting new start-up and scale-up activity and attracting innovators and investors from around the world
• Scaling up existing commercial and research activity in all parts of the aerospace value chain
• Developing leadership in high-growth areas and emerging sectors
• Fostering international partnerships as a mechanism to build domestic capacity and capability
• Promoting early adoption of aerospace technologies in government and investing in research and development infrastructure and support activity
• Building connections with wider government initiatives that are investing in high-tech sectors.

We want to create an enabling environment for aerospace technologies to be developed and tested safely so that Aotearoa New Zealand can benefit from aerospace innovation. A responsive, fit-for-purpose regulatory system that enhances the ease of doing business while continuing to protect the safety and security of New Zealanders will best be achieved through a shared understanding of the pressures facing both industry and regulators. Capability in aerospace technologies and assets is also increasingly critical to maintaining the safety and security of Aotearoa New Zealand and New Zealanders.

We will focus on:

• Ensuring key policies are aligned and our regulatory systems are fit-for-purpose
• Facilitating a system which enables safe and secure uptake and integration of aerospace technologies into the advanced aviation and space systems
• Enabling testbed environments for aerospace activities that support innovators to take technologies from concept to market
• Improving the accessibility and relevance of support provided by government to businesses
• Engaging domestic and international partnerships to enable ongoing information sharing, alignment with other jurisdictions, and the promotion of Aotearoa New Zealand’s values and interests in the international rules-based order
• Building on our national strengths to provide a gateway to high altitude and space activity through integrated services and infrastructure.

We want to inspire the next generation of New Zealanders and highlight aerospace as an important contributor to our national identity. Aerospace and its technologies are creating exciting opportunities for New Zealanders through enhancing wellbeing and transforming the way we live and work, however many people are unaware of the critical role these technologies play.

We will focus on:

• Sharing a collective vision for aerospace, including incorporating our national space values such as stewardship, innovation, responsibility, and partnership to help promote our uniquely Aotearoa New Zealand brand to the rest of the world
• Building a positive narrative domestically that demonstrates the everyday relevance of the sector and clearly communicates the benefits of aerospace technologies to the public
• Promoting Aotearoa New Zealand’s innovation in aerospace on the global stage
• Ensuring we plan for a workforce that meets the evolving needs of the sector
• Encouraging diversity and inclusion for the sector for Māori, Pacific, women and other under-represented communities in aerospace education, training and the workforce, including by supporting initiatives to create a more diverse, safe and welcoming sector
• Fostering enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, leveraging industry and community-led initiatives.

< Engaging Māori on aerospace | Goals for 2030 >