Kiwi Space Activator

Applications are open for the Kiwi Space Activator, a new pilot initiative designed to help New Zealand space innovators demonstrate their technologies in orbit or at high-altitude while working towards supporting government use cases for space technology.

We know that developing and commercialising space technology is capital-intensive and high-risk, and that flight heritage is critical for attracting customers and investors. This pilot programme will help overcome these barriers by co-funding demonstration missions and accelerating commercialisation.

This pilot is a first step towards the New Zealand Space and Advanced Aviation Strategy 2024–2030 Objective of a national space mission. By supporting technology demonstration flights, we aim to strengthen domestic capabilities and build readiness to best position New Zealand companies for a future national space mission.

Programme overview

The Kiwi Space Activator is a pilot scheme intended to align with the New Zealand Space and Advanced Aviation Strategy’s Objectives for:

• accelerating the demonstration of space technologies,
• unlocking trade and export growth opportunities for New Zealand space tech, and
• maturing national capabilities in readiness for a national space mission.

The aim is to provide flight heritage for New Zealand space hardware. In-space technology demonstration is a capital-intensive step in commercialising technologies. The pilot scheme is intended to offset some of these costs to alleviate this barrier to commercialisation. 

Additionally, applications intending on utilising a New Zealand-based platform (e.g. orbital vehicle, high-altitude platform, or an aircraft) to demonstrate their technology will be weighted positively during assessments in order to further support our growing space sector.

Kiwi Space Activator will enhance the credibility of New Zealand technologies to investors and customers globally.

Two rounds of funding

We intend to run 2 rounds of funding for the pilot initiative.

Funding available

A total funding pool of $1.8 million is available across 2 years.

Up to $600,000 can be awarded per project, with a minimum 30% co-funding requirement.

Round 1: Flight costs only with cash co-funding

Round 1 will fund flight costs only. Co-funding will be limited to cash contributions, counted only from the date funding is awarded. This focus is designed to target projects that are closest to being flight ready, closer to market, and better positioned to attract cash investment.

Round 1 closed on 1 March 2026.

Round 2: Broader eligible costs along with flights and a mix of cash and in-kind co-funding

Round 2 will expand to allow a wider range of costs beyond flight only (including general research and development costs related to the payload), with the same funding amount as Round 1. Unlike Round 1, Round 2 will accept a mix of both in-kind and cash co-funding contributions. Note that higher proportions of cash over in-kind contributions will still be assessed more favourably as a stronger indicator of commercial potential.

Round 2 is open from 1 April 2026 to 11:59pm 25 May 2026.

Government challenges

The New Zealand Space Agency has partnered with other government agencies, including the multi-agency Maritime Security Oversight Committee (MSOC), the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), and the Department of Conservation (DOC), to identify challenges in which space technologies can play a role in addressing. Applicants are encouraged to address 1 of 5 government challenges:

Alignment with 1 of the 5 identified challenges is included in the assessment criteria below. However, proposals for technology demonstrations outside these challenges will be considered.

The challenge-based Kiwi Space Activator provides market signals to technology developers and will grow connections between government end-users and the space sector. Agencies will gain exposure to novel space capabilities while suppliers will benefit from access to agency input on their products.

Assessment criteria

Applications will be assessed on the following:

• Technical merit and feasibility (35%).
• Commercialisation potential (25%).
• Contribution to Government challenges (15%).
• Use of New Zealand platform (10%).
• Co-funding strength (15%).

Assessors for Round 1

The assessors for Round 1 are as follows:

Dr Gill Jolly, Chief Scientist, MBIE

Since July 2023, Gill has been Chief Science Advisor to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). At MBIE, she connects the science sector to science policy makers, advises wider MBIE on scientific issues and connects with other parts of government through the Chief Science Advisor’s Forum.

Gill is a volcanologist from the UK and after researching magma physics for her PhD, she started work at the British Geological Survey. In 2006 she moved to NZ where she led the Volcanology team at GNS Science through New Zealand and SW Pacific eruptions, including Ruapehu (2007), Tongariro (2012), Whakaari (2012-3) and Gaua (2010). Between 2014 and 2018, she was the Director of the Natural Hazards Division and led the division through the response to the 2016 M7.8 Kaikōura Earthquake.

Dimitri Geidelberg, Project Team Leader, Ministry of Defence

Dimitri Geidelberg was 1 of the early staff members at the New Zealand Space Agency and worked across its policy, regulatory and sector development functions. Building on his earlier career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dimitri’s other work at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment focused on New Zealand’s international science and innovation connections. He is currently the Integrated Project Team Leader for Space at the Ministry of Defence.

Dr Carl Seubert, Chief Research Officer, SmartSat CRC

Dr. Carl Seubert is Chief Researcher at SmartSat CRC, Australia’s largest space research organisation – soon to become the Australasian Space Innovation Institute. Carl architects the research portfolio to develop innovative technologies and build industry capability to enable Australia’s future space missions and drove the creation of scarlet lab for spacecraft autonomy and formation flight R&D. Carl returned to Australia in 2021 after almost a decade at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where he led technology programs and sent his control algorithms to Jupiter on the Europa Clipper mission.

Peter Johnson Founder, Sustainable Aerospace

Peter Johnson MBE, is a senior aerospace and aviation safety leader with deep expertise in airworthiness regulation, technical governance, and high risk operational environments. As Founder of Sustainable Aerospace, he brings decades of experience spanning defence aviation, aerospace regulatory systems, and safety frameworks.

Formerly the Chief Engineer & Technical Airworthiness Authority for the RNZAF, Peter led major regulatory reform, international mutual recognition initiatives, and led large scale aviation safety, engineering, and maintenance organisations. His career includes senior roles in the NZDF, national safety leadership and commercial aerospace governance. A Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, he is recognised for driving safety excellence, regulatory innovation, and future focused aerospace capability development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding under the Kiwi Space Activator, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• The applicant must be a New Zealand-based legal entity (e.g., a New Zealand-registered company, New Zealand research organisation, or a consortium led by a New Zealand entity).
• The applicant must demonstrate relevant technical expertise and experience as well as adequate project management and financial systems.
• The applicant must show a pathway to commercialisation or operational deployment of the technology.
• The applicant must provide co-funding of 30% of project costs. Cash only is allowed for the Round 1, with a mix of cash and in-kind contributions possible for consideration in Round 2.
• The applicant must not represent a department of the public service as listed in Schedule 2 of the Public Service Act 2020.
• The applicant will not benefit a Russian state institution (including but not limited to support for Russian military or security activity) or an organisation outside government that may be perceived as contributing to the war effort.
• The applicant must comply with all New Zealand laws and regulations, including space-related regulatory requirements and export controls, and meet all applicable health, safety, and environmental requirements.

How to apply

To apply for Round 1 submit your proposal by the closing date using the template below and email to the New Zealand Space Agency.

Round 1 closes 11:59pm 1 March 2026.

Information on how to apply for Round 2 will be available in 2026.

Drop-in webinar

The drop in webinar on the Kiwi Space Activator, which covered common questions and explained how the pilot programme will operate, was held on 21 January 2026.

A recording of the session is available to watch via the link below:

NZSA Webinar – Kiwi Space Activator(external link) — YouTube

Following the webinar we have compiled key information below for your application.

Contact us

For any further questions email the New Zealand Space Agency.

This pilot programme is your opportunity to showcase New Zealand innovation in space and help shape the future of our space sector.

Media enquiries

For journalists and media professionals seeking interviews, statements, or information email MBIE media.