Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre is a suborbital launch and testing facility near Christchurch, supporting aerospace R&D, innovation, and sustainable spaceflight in New Zealand. Photo Credit: Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre
New Zealand’s Canterbury region, which includes the city of Christchurch, aims to attract new conference bid opportunities and bring major international space conferences and scientific events to the region, following the launch of the Waitaha Canterbury Aerospace Strategy.
The Strategy is an initiative which aims to establish the Canterbury region of New Zealand’s South Island as a global leader in aerospace by 2035.
Developed by the Canterbury Aerospace Leadership Group – a coalition of leaders from the aerospace industry, tertiary institutions, and public agencies – the Strategy is capitalising on the area's geographical advantages and Infrastructure to foster a thriving aerospace sector and positioning Canterbury as a hub for world-leading R&D and global investment. Key priorities include attracting global companies and advancing decarbonisation.
Christchurch is one of four members of the global Space Cities Network, established in late 2024 when ChristchurchNZ Business Events joined with Lausanne, Houston and Seoul convention bureaux to foster collaboration and attract conference bids to the respective regions. As part of the Strategy, the region aims to attract new conference bid opportunities and bring major international space conferences and scientific events to Christchurch.
Loren Aberhart, general manager of destination and attraction ChristchurchNZ, said: “Hosting international business events in Christchurch brings wide-ranging benefits to the city. As well as the obvious economic benefits, hosting global experts in domains of space means our sector is not only learning and sharing knowledge with other experts from around the world, but building valuable relationships.”