59735 (2024). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Space

59735 (2024). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Space: Further to WPQ 54095 (2024). What specific criteria if any does the government use to assess whether a space activity or payload related to defense, security, or intelligence operations is contrary to government policy, and which agencies if any are responsible for applying these criteria?

Hon Judith Collins: National interest issues are considered on a case-by-case basis. In this process, officials at MBIE consult other agencies who may hold relevant portfolio expertise, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and officials at the GCSB and NZSIS who conduct an independent national security assessment. Details on the national interest considerations and processes can be found on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) website: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/science-and-technology/space/national-space-policy/national-interest-considerations-space MBIE also published a briefing outlining the process used by officials to assess national interest implications for permits and licences issued under the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017. This can be found at the following link: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/dmsdocument/28499-updating-the-national-interest-assessment-process-pdf