About New Zealand Space Agency

We are the front door for space activity in New Zealand – the lead government agency for space policy, regulation and sector development.

The New Zealand Space Agency is committed to enabling a safe, responsible, and thriving space sector that benefits all New Zealanders. We foster international partnerships, support innovation, and ensure the safe and sustainable use of space. We aim to unlock the full potential of the global space economy for New Zealand, advancing science, driving economic growth, and inspiring future generations to reach for the stars.

What we do

We support the development of New Zealand’s space sector by shaping policy, regulating space activities, and fostering innovation. We work across government and with international partners to ensure space is used safely, sustainably, and in ways that benefit our people, economy, and environment. Our responsibilities include licensing space launches, supporting cutting-edge research, enabling commercial opportunities, and promoting New Zealand’s values in global space governance. Through collaboration and stewardship, we help position New Zealand as a trusted and forward-thinking space-faring nation.

We regulate rocket launches, launch facilities, space payloads, high-altitude activities, and ground-based space infrastructure

We enable and regulate a wide range of space-related activities in New Zealand, including orbital launches, launch facilities, high-altitude vehicles and payloads. Our regulatory framework supports both domestic and international operators operating in New Zealand (and New Zealanders operating overseas), ensuring that all space activities are conducted safely, responsibly, and in line with New Zealand’s values.

New Zealand is home to the world’s first private orbital launch range, located on the Mahia Peninsula, and has become a launch destination for a growing number of commercial and research missions. While Rocket Lab remains a key player in the New Zealand sector, we continue to support a broader ecosystem of space innovators from satellite developers and data analytics to high-altitude vehicles, rockets, and research institutions.

For more information on how to operate in New Zealand, see our licensing, permitting and authorisations page:

Apply for a licence or permit

We enable space-related business, science and innovation

New Zealand is a great place to do space.

We’re building a space sector that’s trusted around the world, full of new ideas, and able to compete globally. Our goal is to help New Zealand benefit from space—economically, socially, and environmentally.

We’re interested in advancing areas where New Zealand has existing and emerging strengths, including developing and applying space-based data, developing components, space related research, ground infrastructure and satellite technology.

Over time there may be opportunities for New Zealand businesses and other organisations to develop capabilities in a range of space-related areas — such as satellite design and manufacturing and space science, technology and engineering research activity.

For more information about why New Zealand is an attractive place to do space business, see Space related opportunities in New Zealand:

Industry and innovation

We develop space policy and strategy

We have a work programme of strategic advice and policy development that includes assessment of, and advice on:

• the opportunities and risks associated with the use of space,
• our legislation, and,
• the role of government.

View our legislation and strategic advice:

Our regulatory regime