Doing business in New Zealand
New Zealand is fast becoming a global hub for space innovation. With our unique geography, forward-thinking regulation, and strong international partnerships, we offer a launchpad for cutting-edge research, commercial ventures, and sustainable space activity.
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Why New Zealand?
Strategic location
Our southern hemisphere position and low population density make New Zealand ideal for satellite launches, tracking stations, and Earth observation missions.
Trusted regulatory environment
New Zealand’s space regulatory regime is transparent, responsive, and aligned with international best practices ensuring safety, sustainability, and national interest protections.
Global partnerships
We collaborate with leading space agencies and governments through agreements like the Technology Safeguards Agreement, enabling safe use of U.S. launch technologies, and bilateral arrangements that support innovation and strategic cooperation.
Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the United States of America on technology safeguards associated with United States participation in space launches from New Zealand. [PDF 118KB]
Innovation-friendly ecosystem
From start-ups to research institutions, New Zealand supports space ventures through funding, infrastructure, and access to global networks. New Zealand offers a research and development tax incentive to support the sector to thrive.
Research and development tax incentive
What’s happening now in New Zealand’s space sector
New Zealand’s space sector is thriving, with a growing ecosystem of organisations contributing across launch services, ground infrastructure, data innovation, space components, and sustainable propulsion technologies and vehicles.
Launch capability
New Zealand is home to the world’s first private orbital launch site, located on the Mahia Peninsula. This facility supports frequent launches of small satellites into orbit, enabling commercial, scientific, and government missions. Its geographic location offers optimal access to a range of orbital inclinations, making it ideal for sun-synchronous and polar orbits.
New Zealand is also home to Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre. The site is being developed to support advanced aviation, drone testing, and potentially future rocket launches. Tāwhaki is recognised as one of the best geographic locations for aerospace activity globally, and is actively scaling up infrastructure to support full-spectrum aerospace operations.
Ground Infrastructure and Communications
Ground-based space infrastructure in New Zealand plays a vital role in supporting satellite operations. Facilities across New Zealand provide telemetry, tracking, and control services for spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and beyond. A new regulatory regime, effective from July 2025, ensures these systems operate securely and responsibly, with oversight to protect national interests
Earth observation and data innovation
New Zealand’s varied topography, frequent cloud cover, and expansive maritime zones make it an ideal environment for developing and applying remote sensing technologies. From rugged alpine regions to dynamic coastlines and inland water systems, the country offers a diverse testing ground for Earth observation science. Research initiatives are using satellite data, hyperspectral imaging, and machine learning to support environmental monitoring, disaster resilience, and sustainable resource management, delivering insights that benefit both local communities and global science.
Spacecraft components
New Zealand innovators are developing a range of spacecraft technologies and components including composite and 3D-printed parts, superconducting devices, deployable structures, and quantum technologies. This includes a mission to the International Space Station to trial a New Zealand-built superconducting magnet which will underpin a range of new space exploration technologies.
Sustainable propulsion and reusable vehicles
The sector is also innovating in green propulsion and reusable spaceflight. New Zealand companies are developing non-toxic propulsion systems and suborbital spaceplanes designed for rapid reuse. These technologies aim to reduce the environmental footprint of space access and make launch operations more responsive and cost-effective.