Canterbury has quietly become a national hub for New Zealand’s aerospace industry. With the newly unveiled Waitaha Canterbury Aerospace Strategy targeting $1 billion in economic impact and creating 1,500 jobs, the region is positioning itself as a leader in advanced aviation and space technologies.
Mark Rocket is an industry-leading entrepreneur, the founder and CEO of Kea Aerospace and president of Aerospace New Zealand. In the year 2000, he changed his surname and set the goal of becoming the first New Zealander to reach space, a feat he achieved on May 31st this year.
A Regional Strategy for Global Growth
Rocket points to many unique advantages that Canterbury offers the industry. “The extensive manufacturing capabilities, relatively low air traffic and collaborative ecosystem are key aspects, as is the University of Canterbury, which has an excellent track record of producing high-quality engineering talent year after year.”
At the centre of this growth is the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre, which provides facilities for flight testing, research, and development. Tāwhaki is a joint venture between hapu and the Crown located at Kaitorete Spit beside Lake Ellesmere Te Waihora. The centre has permanent test flight airspace as of June.
Since 2022, Aerospace New Zealand has hosted the annual New Zealand Aerospace Summit, which this year will be held at Te Pae on October 7 and 8. The summit connects local innovators, investors, and international partners. This year, the premiere event for the nation’s aerospace industry has the theme “Open Skies: Leveraging New Zealand’s Low Air Traffic and Rapid Regulatory Environment”.
“It’s an exciting time for technology development,” Rocket says. “Just a few decades ago, many Kiwis wouldn’t have envisioned that we would be world leaders in filmmaking, winemaking, boatbuilding and space launch. There are a lot of intriguing niches that New Zealand can fill, so who knows what the future will bring if we keep innovating.”
Canterbury Companies Leading Innovation
This environment has helped nurture a growing cluster of companies, including Dawn Aerospace, which is developing satellite propulsion systems that use non-toxic propellants, alongside a reusable suborbital spaceplane designed for rapid turnaround and lower launch costs. Kea Aerospace is advancing solar-powered, high-altitude drones for environmental monitoring and data collection, helping position New Zealand within the emerging commercial space market.
Aerosearch designs and tests remotely piloted aircraft systems for applications ranging from maritime patrol to climate research, contributing to government-backed airspace integration
programs. SPS Automation specialises in bespoke robotics and automation technologies that support prototyping and advanced manufacturing for aerospace innovators and beyond.
These firms show how opportunities for growth and innovation are aplenty. Future-thinking Rocket says that establishing infrastructure and training more aerospace talent will attract New Zealand and international companies to invest, support local, and embark on more aerospace projects. “These types of factors will drive the next wave of aerospace growth where we have dozens of high-value aerospace companies operating out of Canterbury,” Rocket says.
The recently announced Christchurch Aerospace Strategic Plan aims to make the region globally recognised as a centre of aerospace innovation by 2035. It aims to grow the sector by supporting local companies, attracting international investment, and building a skilled workforce.
“This strategy is a uniting document that reflects the extraordinary potential of our region,” says Ali Adams, CEO of ChristchurchNZ and Chair of the Canterbury Aerospace Leadership Group.
“It showcases how Canterbury can lead the way in solving global challenges through aerospace – from climate monitoring to sustainable propulsion – while creating high-value jobs and driving innovation that benefits our people and our planet.
“By 2035, aerospace will be a cornerstone of Canterbury’s prosperity,” says Adams. “But this isn’t just about growth – it’s about building a future that’s inclusive, sustainable, and driven by innovation.”
A particular focus is on workforce development and diversity, with initiatives aimed at bringing more women and underrepresented groups into engineering and technical roles. Partnerships with the University of Canterbury and local vocational programs are intended to strengthen the pipeline of aerospace talent, ensuring the sector can meet its ambitious growth targets.
Rocket notes that while progress has been strong, funding and international partnerships remain crucial. “To level up, the industry needs more funding and international projects. We’re starting to see that develop,” he says.
Government Support and Future Outlook
“We’re standing on the launchpad of something extraordinary. With this Strategy, we are saying to the world: Canterbury is open for aerospace innovation. This is a region where bold ideas take flight – supported by a community that’s collaborative, future-focused, and committed to making a global impact.”
“We know New Zealand’s space and advanced aviation sectors are growing rapidly,” Minister for Space, Judith Collins, says. “The space sector has grown 53% in the five years to 2023-24 to contribute more than $2.47 billion to the economy. The advanced aviation sector contributed $480 million in the same period, with some overlaps with the space sector.
“The Government sees space as having huge potential, and that’s why we’re working towards delivering a world-class regulatory environment for advanced aviation by the end of this year, as signalled less than a year ago.”
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