Tāwhaki Aerospace Hub Gets $5.85M Boost to Propel NZ’s Space, Aviation Sectors

The New Zealand Government has allocated $5.85 million in operational funding to the Tāwhaki Joint Venture, a key player in the country's burgeoning space and advanced aviation industries. The announcement, made by Space Minister Judith Collins, highlights the growing strategic and economic importance of the aerospace sector and the Government’s commitment to positioning New Zealand as a global innovation leader.

Fueling a High-Growth Sector

Minister Collins underscored the pace of growth in the space economy, noting that New Zealand’s space sector expanded by 53% in the five years leading to 2024. In the last financial year alone, the sector contributed approximately $2.47 billion to the national economy.

“These are rapidly growing sectors,” Collins said. “The Government sees space and advanced aviation as having huge economic potential. That’s why we are investing in both the regulatory environment and infrastructure to support innovation, testing, and commercialization.”

Tāwhaki’s National Role in Aerospace Innovation

Established in 2021, Tāwhaki is a joint venture between the Crown and the Te Taumutu and Wairewa Rūnanga, and it has quickly become a national centre for aerospace innovation. Located on the remote and geologically suitable Kaitorete Spit in Canterbury, Tāwhaki has already developed critical infrastructure, including a sealed runway and a hangar, enabling frequent test flights and operations.

With the newly announced funding, Tāwhaki will further scale up its services, attract commercial aerospace partners, and reinforce its position as a hub for cutting-edge aviation research and development.

“The Crown’s $5.85 million in operational funding over the next three years will support the Tāwhaki Joint Venture to grow its role as a national aerospace centre and innovation hub,” Collins said.

Strategic Infrastructure and Regulatory Milestones

One of Tāwhaki’s key milestones this year was securing permanent Special Use Airspace—a pivotal designation that provides aerospace companies with a legally sanctioned area to test experimental and emerging technologies safely and efficiently.

This move aligns with the Government’s broader initiative to deliver a world-class regulatory environment for advanced aviation by the end of 2025, as previously signalled by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

“With Special Use Airspace now in place, companies like Kea Aerospace, Syos, and Dawn Aerospace are already leveraging the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre to conduct critical flight tests,” Collins noted. “This reflects the centre’s capacity to attract innovators and facilitate real-world applications of aerospace technology.”

Supporting Commercial Growth and Regional Development

The new operational funding brings total Government investment in Tāwhaki to over $35 million. While the initial phases focused on infrastructure and securing aerospace designations, the latest funding is earmarked for long-term operational growth, strategic customer acquisition, and economic development.

“This phase of investment is aimed at ensuring the venture continues to grow, attract commercial operators, and deliver long-term value for the region and the country,” said Collins.

Beyond its commercial significance, the Tāwhaki Joint Venture also demonstrates a successful model of Crown–Māori partnership in innovation. Te Taumutu and Wairewa Rūnanga have played an instrumental role in stewarding the land at Kaitorete Spit and integrating cultural values with technological advancement.

Positioning NZ for Aerospace Leadership

As competition intensifies globally in the aerospace industry, particularly in reusable launch systems, drone logistics, and high-altitude monitoring technologies, New Zealand’s agility, natural geographic advantages, and forward-thinking regulation provide it with a competitive edge.

Tāwhaki is seen as a key piece in this national strategy—providing a flexible and secure site for experimental flight operations that may range from suborbital tests to autonomous drone platforms.

“New Zealand is well placed to be a world leader in aerospace,” said Collins. “We have the land, the talent, and increasingly the infrastructure and regulation needed to support this ambition.”

Future Outlook

With global aerospace companies seeking streamlined regulatory frameworks and secure locations for testing, New Zealand's ability to provide both, through entities like Tāwhaki, is expected to attract further investment and talent to the sector.

As the $5.85 million investment rolls out over the next three years, the Government anticipates not only increased aerospace activity at Kaitorete but also broader national economic and employment benefits stemming from growth in the space and advanced aviation industries.