Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the New Zealand Space Agency — Science Learning Hub

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New Zealand Space Agency and MBIE logos.

Rights: Crown copyright Published 5 July 2022 Size: 43 KB Referencing Hub media

The New Zealand Space Agency, part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, is the lead government agency for space policy, regulation and sector development.

Appears in

Analysing satellite data for albatross research

Toroa/northern royal albatross spend about 85% of their time on the Southern Ocean – only living on land to nest during the breeding season. Some of their nesting sites are in remote places so ...

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How are satellites helping albatross?

The toroa/northern royal albatross is one of the largest seabirds in the world! They are referred to as graceful giants of the ocean, and with a wingspan of over 3 metres, it is easy to see why ...

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How do we know about Earth movements?

Aotearoa New Zealand experiences a lot of geological activity – the land is right at the junction of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates – making it a shaky place to live! The Pacific ...

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Analysing satellite data to track Earth movements

Aotearoa New Zealand is a geologically active country. We feel the big jolts from earthquakes, but there are some minute Earth movements that we didn’t know were taking place beneath our feet ...

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Validating remote sensing observations

Adventure movies make it seem like satellites can see everything from space, but is this fact or fiction? Remote sensing satellites provide us with lots of information, but as demonstrated by ...

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Build a satellite for a mission

Satellites are incredibly useful tools, and they’ve changed the way we monitor and track things on Earth and in space. Satellites are built to perform specific functions. All satellites have ...

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Creating a space treaty

Aotearoa New Zealand has a developing space industry that employs people from around the motu. Our space industry encompasses: people who model atmospheric greenhouse gases and agricultural ...

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What is a CubeSat?

CubeSats are tiny box-shaped satellites that are mainly launched into low Earth orbit to observe the Earth, test new communications technology or perform miniature experiments. In 1999, engineers ...

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How do we find dark vessels on the ocean?

International fishing involves some really big numbers. There are an estimated 4.6 million fishing vessels in the world. Most of these are small and local, but there are around 64,000 large ...

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Analysing satellite data for finding dark vessels

Oceans cover 70% of the Earth’s surface making it an enormous area to monitor. All large ships are required to use an automatic identification system (AIS), which broadcasts the vessel’s position ...

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Building satellites for Earth observation

Satellites are built to perform specific functions. Expecting a GPS satellite to collect weather data is a bit like expecting your mountain bike to pull water skiers! Satellite missions and ...

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Tāwhaki – ecosystems restoration and aerospace ...

Space and aerospace projects can have positive impacts on Aotearoa New Zealand that you might not expect. For instance, our space industry brings important opportunities to strengthen our ...

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Build a 3D satellite model

In this activity, students make a physical model of the satellite shown in the Build a satellite interactive. Making a physical model will help students to see how parts of the satellite relate ...

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Micro:bit and space projects

Satellites and rockets are not easily accessible for most schools in New Zealand. Understandably, this can make experiencing space first hand somewhat difficult! However, students can still carry ...

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Measuring methane from space

In order to reduce methane emissions, we need to know where they come from. Methane, like other greenhouse gases, is invisible to human eyes – so how do we measure something we cannot see? Human ...

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Make a model CubeSat and micro:bit sun sensor

A CubeSat is a real satellite that is small enough to fit in your hands! This activity has two parts that can be done individually or together. Students make a full-size imaginary cardboard model ...

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Making digital space debris clean-up games

Space debris is leftover rocket parts and non-functional satellites and any other machinery or debris left by humans. Humans have been launching rockets into space since the 1950s, and now, 70 ...

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Interpreting observations from satellite images

Satellite images are an excellent way to support and practise the science capabilities ‘Gather and interpret data’ and ‘Interpret representations’. The images are often vibrant and beautiful as ...

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Remote sensing

Remote sensing is the use of sensors to extend our human senses in observing and recording objects or events that are far away (remote) from us. The sensors are not in direct contact with what is ...

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Methane – a greenhouse gas

Methane comprises just 0.00018% of the Earth’s atmosphere – so why are we concerned about it? Sources of atmospheric methane Dr Sara Mikaloff-Fletcher explains how the majority of methane ...

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Aotearoa in space – a context for learning

Although Aotearoa New Zealand is a relative newcomer to the international space industry, a deep knowledge of space enabled early Polynesians to navigate to these islands and develop mātauranga ...

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Innovations in aerospace

Aotearoa New Zealand’s remote location and unique geography have made its residents innovative by necessity. From inventing pōhā to preserve nga tītī to initiating refrigerated meat and dairy ...

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Aotearoa New Zealand in space – an introduction

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in the space sector? It goes way beyond astronauts and rockets and it’s growing fast! The Hub has teamed up with the Ministry of Business ...

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Working in the space sector

In the 20th century, most people would have considered being an astronaut the number one job related to space. Now, in the 21st century, opportunities to work in the space industry have broadened ...

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Remote sensing and water quality

When you look across a lake, what colour do you expect to see? The common answer is usually blue – but what shade of blue? The image below shows some of the larger lakes in Te Waipounamu South ...

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Aotearoa in space

Bring some awe into your classroom. The Science Learning Hub has developed a suite of resources designed to grow Aotearoa New Zealand students' interest in space. Join us to discover ways to ...

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CubeSats, crystals and microgravity

Dr Sarah Kessans is a scientist with big dreams and the skills to make them happen. Sarah is a biochemist and works in the field of synthetic biology – a combination of engineering and biology ...

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Space debris

When we talk about space, we often mention big numbers – after all, space is vast. When it comes to space debris, the numbers may surprise you. The total mass of all objects in space is nearly 10 ...

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MethaneSAT – turning data into action

MethaneSAT is Aotearoa New Zealand’s first government-funded space mission. It is a joint American-New Zealand collaboration to detect methane emissions. The goal is to use data from satellite ...

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Can I work in the space industry?

Do you think that the space industry is limited to astronauts and billionaires? If so, you need to think again! You can have so many careers in aerospace. If you look at what most astronauts do ...

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Te ao Māori – space whakapapa

In te ao Māori, space has a complex and extensive whakapapa. The narratives differ from iwi to iwi but follow similar themes. Space whakapapa Māori astronomy is fundamental to Māori belief ...

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SMART – Māori astronomy

Tātai arorangi, Māori astronomical knowledge, is fundamental to te ao Māori. It forms a significant pillar of whakapapa stretching back to the beginnings of the universe. Tātai arorangi ...

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