58194 (2024). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Space

58194 (2024). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Space: Further to WPQ 54095 (2024), what specific defence, security, or intelligence operations would a payload need to support or enable in order to be considered contrary to New Zealand’s government policy?

Hon Judith Collins: Under the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017 I will not permit any activities unless I am satisfied that the proposed activity is consistent with New Zealand’s international obligations. Notwithstanding this requirement, some activities may be consistent with New Zealand’s international obligations and yet contrary to New Zealand’s national interest. National interest issues are considered on a case-by-case basis. All payload permitting decisions I make under the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017 are made in accordance with the principles Cabinet agreed in 2019: • Responsibility • Sustainability • Safety • Space activities should reflect New Zealand’s values and interests, and align with broader policy settings. In 2019 Cabinet agreed a set of activities not in the national interest, including: • Payloads that contribute to nuclear weapons programmes or capabilities. • Payloads with the intended end use of harming, interfering with, or destroying other spacecraft, or space systems on Earth. • Payloads with the intended end use of supporting or enabling specific defence, security, or intelligence operations that are contrary to government policy. • Payloads where the intended end use is likely to cause serious or irreversible harm to the environment.