Mission patch designs wanted: young imaginations set to take off

Patch to the Future is a national competition encouraging Years 1–8 students to design a bold, space-themed “mission patch” to see how they imagine New Zealand’s place in space.

Mission patches are the small, circular designs you’ll often see on space mission uniforms. They are a symbolic way to show what a mission is about.

Entries can be hand drawn or digitally created, and designs should be big, bold, and original. Use of generative AI tools is not permitted.

1 winning design will be selected from each of the 3 year-group categories (Years 1–3, Years 4–6, and Years 7–8), with each category winner receiving a certificate of recognition.

The overall winner will then be selected from the category winners. The overall prize includes:

• the student’s design produced as an official New Zealand Space Agency patch
• a New Zealand Space Agency jacket featuring the winning patch
• a certificate of recognition
• a school visit from a New Zealand Space Agency representative.

The competition is open now and closes on Friday 5 June 2026.

Patch to the Future is part of the New Zealand Space Agency’s 10 year anniversary. Find out more about the anniversary and the design competition at:

10 years of New Zealand’s Space Agency