43747 (2024). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Space

43747 (2024). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Space: Further to WPQ 23372 What measures, if any, are being taken to diversify New Zealand's space industry contracts and reduce dependency on a single country, particularly the United States?

Hon Judith Collins: The New Zealand Space Agency maintains relationships with many international partners and encourages New Zealand based space operators to engage internationally to develop skills, technology, and business relationships. For example, MBIE has signed an MOU with Astroscale, a Japanese/British active debris removal (ADR) and on-orbit servicing company, and funded R&D involving Astroscale, the University of Auckland and Rocket Lab. MBIE has also entered into arrangements with Germany and Australia. Since 2020, through the Catalyst Fund, the government has been supporting a space technology partnership with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). This is supplemented by an arrangement on space policy cooperation with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). In 2019, the New Zealand Space Agency and Australian Space Agency signed a cooperation agreement which includes the research collaboration with the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre announced earlier this year. The New Zealand Space Agency and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise have supported firms in various markets, for example through hosting a New Zealand stand at the International Astronautical Congresses in Adelaide (2017), Bremen (2018), Washington DC (2019) and Paris (2022). The Government is dedicated to connecting our space sector to a variety of customers in like-minded countries through research funding and facilitation activities. By showcasing New Zealand’s numerous advantages and areas of expertise, we can attract further collaboration on space and help expand the space sector.