Kiwi Space Activator

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 was developed to 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 developing our sovereign space capability. By supporting technology demonstration flights, we aim to strengthen domestic capabilities and build readiness to best position New Zealand companies for future projects developing our sovereign capabilities.

The programme received an outstanding level of interest from across New Zealand’s space sector, reflecting the ambition and innovation within the industry. 

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 were weighted positively during assessments in order to further support our growing space sector. Note that despite the platform, applicants needed to demonstrate a pathway to an on-orbit space technology operation or demonstration in the future.

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

Two rounds of funding

We ran 2 rounds of funding for the pilot initiative.

View round 1 and 2 funding recipients

Funding available

A total of $1.78 million has been awarded to four Kiwi Space Activator projects across rounds 1 and 2.

Up to $600,000 was available per project, with a minimum 30% co-funding requirement.

Round 1: Flight costs only with cash co-funding

Round 1 funded flight costs only. Co-funding was limited to cash contributions, counted only from the date funding is awarded. This focus was 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 expanded on Round 1 to allow a wider range of costs beyond flight only (including general research and development costs related to the payload). Unlike Round 1, Round 2 accepted a mix of both in-kind and cash co-funding contributions. Note that higher proportions of cash over in-kind contributions was still assessed more favourably as a stronger indicator of commercial potential.

Round 2 closed on 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 were 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%).

Other assessment criteria

When assessing proposals against the assessment criteria, MBIE also took the following factors into account, including the extent to which the overall mix of investments:

• Are likely to support the Space and Advantaged Aviation Strategy.
• Is aligned with or relevant to national contexts, strategies, and policy priorities.
• Will ensure that funding is not duplicated.
• Will minimise the risk that applicants do not have the capacity to complete the research project because of existing commitments to other research projects.
• Maximises the opportunity for balanced sector growth.

Assessors for Round 1 and 2

Pete Cook, Senior Technical Advisor at New Zealand Space Agency

Assessor for round 2

Pete Cook is a Senior Technical Advisor at the New Zealand Space Agency, responsible for providing technical advice to the Minister for Space on any payload permit, launch or high-altitude licence, or ground-based space infrastructure authorisation that NZSA assesses.

Pete’s expertise lies in space system design, space operations, and space sustainability. An aerospace engineer, his career includes senior roles at RNZAF where he led the design of aircraft subsystems and modifications, as well as managed aircraft structural integrity to ensure safe operation over the life of the airframes

Dimitri Geidelberg, Project Team Leader at MoD

Assessor for round 2

Dimitri Geidelberg works on space capability at the New Zealand Ministry of Defence. In 2016, Dimitri joined the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), focusing on international science connections. In 2018, he became one of the early staff members of the New Zealand Space Agency in MBIE and held roles across the Agency’s policy, regulatory and sector development functions. Dimitri’s early career was at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), where he served at New Zealand’s diplomatic missions in Australia, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea.

Peter Johnson, Founder, Sustainable Aerospace

Assessor for round 1 and 2

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.

Dr Gill Jolly, Chief Scientist, MBIE

Assessor for round 1 and 2

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.

Cristina Parigini, Research Fellow at Auckland University and Principal Technical Advisor at NZSA

Assessor for round 1

Cristina Parigini is a Principal Technical Advisor at the New Zealand Space Agency and a Research Fellow at the University of Auckland, where her work focuses on astrodynamics and space situational awareness.

She brings a strong scientific background grounded in her PhD research in quantitative modelling of biological systems, along with earlier experience in aerospace engineering on topics such as launch and re entry mission analysis, modelling, and design.

James Powell, Ex Co-founder, CFO and Spaceplane Chief Engineer at Dawn Aerospace

Assessor for round 2

James Powell brings a wealth of experience across the aviation and aerospace sectors. He was a co-founder, Chief Financial Officer, and Spaceplane Chief Engineer at Dawn Aerospace, where he played a key role in advancing cutting-edge spaceplane technology. Prior to this, he spent a decade in aircraft design, manufacturing, and certification, working with a range of global customers. During this time, he became one of the youngest Design Engineering Delegates to the Director of Civil Aviation.

As an assessor, James draws on this extensive technical and commercial expertise.

Dr Carl Seubert, Chief Research Officer, SmartSat CRC

Assessor for round 1 and 2

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.

Eligibility

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

• You 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).
• You must demonstrate relevant technical expertise and experience as well as adequate project management and financial systems.
• You must show a pathway to commercialisation or operational deployment of the technology.
• You must show a pathway to an on-orbit space technology operation or demonstration.
• You must provide minimum co-funding of 30% of project costs. A mix of cash and in-kind contributions is possible for consideration for Round Two.
• You do not represent a department of the public service as listed in Schedule 2 of the Public Service Act 2020.
• Your proposal 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.
• You 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.

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 compiled key information below:

Contact us

For any further questions email the New Zealand Space Agency.

This pilot programme is an 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.