Patch to the Future winners announced as New Zealand Space Agency marks 10 years

The competition was designed to help children see space as something New Zealand is part of, and to spark early curiosity about where science, technology and creativity can lead.

The overall winner is Siobhan, a Year 3 student from St Margaret’s College in Christchurch, whose design stood out for its originality, strong composition and impressive level of detail.

Her design will now be produced as an official New Zealand Space Agency mission patch.

Winners were also selected in each of the competition’s 3 year-group categories:

• Years 1–3: Siobhan, St Margaret’s College, Christchurch
• Years 4–6: Isabel, Stella Maris Catholic Primary School, Auckland
• Years 7–8: Amelia, Seatoun School, Wellington

Patch to the Future was launched as part of the New Zealand Space Agency’s 10-year milestone. It invited students to design a bold, space-themed mission patch showing their ideas about space, science and New Zealand’s place in the future.

The response from schools and students across the country was hugely encouraging, with entries received from students at Mangōnui School in the Far North right through to Winton School in Southland, with another 249 schools, as well as homeschools and the Mosgiel chapter of the Girl Guides, in between.

All up, Patch to the Future attracted 2,059 entries from 251 schools and 14 homeschools across New Zealand.

The competition was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. It builds on the way New Zealand schools already use space-related contexts to explore topics such as the night sky, satellites, Earth systems and navigation.

As well as celebrating creativity, Patch to the Future was designed as a creative way to spark children’s interest in space and science, and to help them imagine what New Zealand’s future in space could look like.

New Zealand’s space sector is growing, and initiatives like Patch to the Future help young New Zealanders see that space is something New Zealand is part of. The competition encouraged students to use creativity and imagination to think about what New Zealand’s future in space could look like.

Siobhan will receive a New Zealand Space Agency jacket featuring her winning patch, a certificate of recognition, and a visit to her school from a New Zealand Space Agency representative.

Patch to the Future at a glance

• The competition ran from 30 April to 5 June 2026.
• It was launched as part of the 10th anniversary of the New Zealand Space Agency.
• It was open to students in Years 1–8.
• Winners were selected in 3 year-group categories, with 1 overall winner.
• The overall prize includes the winning design being produced as an official New Zealand Space Agency patch, a New Zealand Space Agency jacket, a certificate, and a school visit from a New Zealand Space Agency representative.
• Patch to the Future received 2,059 entries.
• Entries came from 251 schools and 14 homeschools.
• Entries were received from major cities, regional centres, rural and remote communities, and homeschool students across New Zealand.