Independent directory

Who does what in New Zealand aerospace

An independent guide to space, advanced aviation and aerospace technology organisations with a New Zealand presence, and what they have announced. Each fact links to the page it was checked against.

Browse organisationsHow facts are checked

Organisations listed
10
Capabilities represented
7
Regions
5
Published updates
62
Open roles in New Zealand
117

New Zealand from the International Space Station. Imagery: NASA/JSC Crew Earth Observations

01 / The directory

Organisations

Every listed organisation, in alphabetical order. Each profile quotes the pages its facts were checked against.

  • Manufacturer

    Dawn Aerospace

    Dawn Aerospace develops non-toxic, refuelable satellite propulsion systems and rapidly reusable spaceplanes.

    AucklandBay of PlentyCanterburyGisborneHawke's BayMarlboroughManawatū-WhanganuiNelsonNorthlandOtagoSouthlandTasmanTaranakiWaikatoWellingtonWest Coast

    Canterbury

    Propulsion · Advanced aircraft · Spacecraft and systems

  • Manufacturer · Specialist supplier · Test infrastructure

    Fabrum

    Fabrum designs and manufactures cryogenic and composite technologies for a sustainable energy transition.

    AucklandBay of PlentyCanterburyGisborneHawke's BayMarlboroughManawatū-WhanganuiNelsonNorthlandOtagoSouthlandTasmanTaranakiWaikatoWellingtonWest Coast

    Canterbury

    Engineering and manufacturing · Propulsion · Test infrastructure

  • Manufacturer

    Kea Aerospace

    The company operates the Kea Atmos, a High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) and High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) aircraft.

    AucklandBay of PlentyCanterburyGisborneHawke's BayMarlboroughManawatū-WhanganuiNelsonNorthlandOtagoSouthlandTasmanTaranakiWaikatoWellingtonWest Coast

    Canterbury

    Advanced aircraft · Earth observation · Engineering and manufacturing

  • Organisation

    Merlin Labs

    Merlin is a U.S.-based developer of cost-effective, takeoff-to-touchdown autonomy for both legacy and next-generation airborne systems.

    AucklandBay of PlentyCanterburyGisborneHawke's BayMarlboroughManawatū-WhanganuiNelsonNorthlandOtagoSouthlandTasmanTaranakiWaikatoWellingtonWest Coast

    Northland

    Autonomous flight

  • Manufacturer

    NZAero

    NZAero designs and manufactures utility aircraft in Hamilton, New Zealand.

    AucklandBay of PlentyCanterburyGisborneHawke's BayMarlboroughManawatū-WhanganuiNelsonNorthlandOtagoSouthlandTasmanTaranakiWaikatoWellingtonWest Coast

    Waikato

    Advanced aircraft · Engineering and manufacturing

  • Manufacturer

    Outlier Space

    Outlier Space is developing a reusable, uncrewed satellite platform to provide access to microgravity.

    AucklandBay of PlentyCanterburyGisborneHawke's BayMarlboroughManawatū-WhanganuiNelsonNorthlandOtagoSouthlandTasmanTaranakiWaikatoWellingtonWest Coast

    Auckland

    Spacecraft and systems

  • Manufacturer

    Rakon

    Rakon designs and manufactures frequency control and timing solutions for electronic systems.

    AucklandBay of PlentyCanterburyGisborneHawke's BayMarlboroughManawatū-WhanganuiNelsonNorthlandOtagoSouthlandTasmanTaranakiWaikatoWellingtonWest Coast

    Auckland

    Engineering and manufacturing · Spacecraft and systems

  • Manufacturer

    Rocket Lab

    Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering launch services, spacecraft, and satellite components.

    AucklandBay of PlentyCanterburyGisborneHawke's BayMarlboroughManawatū-WhanganuiNelsonNorthlandOtagoSouthlandTasmanTaranakiWaikatoWellingtonWest Coast

    Auckland, Gisborne

    Spacecraft and systems · Propulsion · Engineering and manufacturing

  • Test infrastructure

    Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre

    Tāwhaki is a partnership between the New Zealand Government and the indigenous people of Kaitorete –Wairewa Rūnanga and Te Taumutu Rūnanga.

    AucklandBay of PlentyCanterburyGisborneHawke's BayMarlboroughManawatū-WhanganuiNelsonNorthlandOtagoSouthlandTasmanTaranakiWaikatoWellingtonWest Coast

    Canterbury

    Test infrastructure

  • Specialist supplier

    United Machinists

    United Machinists is a family-owned precision machining business that manufactures mission-critical components for aerospace, defence, medical, electronics, and automotive industries.

    AucklandBay of PlentyCanterburyGisborneHawke's BayMarlboroughManawatū-WhanganuiNelsonNorthlandOtagoSouthlandTasmanTaranakiWaikatoWellingtonWest Coast

    Otago

    Engineering and manufacturing

All 10 organisations

02 / Across the country

Where they work

Regions where checked sources place a listed organisation. Each links to the organisations there.

Auckland: 3Canterbury: 4Northland: 1Otago: 1Waikato: 1

03 / Careers

Open roles

The newest role from each organisation whose careers page the directory reads. Each links to the organisation's own listing.

All 117 open roles in New Zealand

05 / News

Recent updates

Dated announcements from listed organisations, each summarised from and linked to its source.

  • Published · Milestone

    Oklahoma Breaks Ground on $7.5 Million Dawn Aerospace Facility at Infinity One Spaceport

    Dawn Aerospace broke ground on a new mission control facility and spaceplane hangar at Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport. The facility is valued at $7.5 million and is intended to support commercial spaceflight in western Oklahoma.

    Dawn Aerospace

    Organisation's own announcement: Oklahoma Breaks Ground on $7.5 Million Dawn Aerospace Facility at Infinity One Spaceport · checked 16 October 2026

    Summary written and checked automatically against quotes from the source.

  • Published · Other

    NZ an emerging strategic launch hub for European space industry

    Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre and SpaceDreamS confirmed that the site is technically and operationally suitable for vertical launch. The parties are continuing discussions with government agencies and stakeholders regarding the development of the facility.

    Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre

    Organisation's own announcement: NZ an emerging strategic launch hub for European space industry · checked 25 October 2026

    Summary written and checked automatically against quotes from the source.

  • Published · Research

    Dawn Aerospace, Infinite Orbits and Exotrail completes CNES R&T Study on Next-Generation Refuellable Spacecraft Platforms

    Dawn Aerospace, Infinite Orbits, and Exotrail have completed a twelve-month study commissioned by CNES to assess the potential of refuellable spacecraft platforms. The study concluded that refueling capability is technically feasible and can be integrated into spacecraft architectures without fundamental changes.

    Dawn Aerospace

    Organisation's own announcement: Dawn Aerospace, Infinite Orbits and Exotrail completes CNES R&T Study on Next-Generation Refuellable Spacecraft Platforms · checked 16 October 2026

    Summary written and checked automatically against quotes from the source.

All updates