Trust Tairāwhiti has invested in exploring the establishment of an aerospace sector in the region with the intention of unlocking significant economic, social, environmental, and cultural opportunities.
The Aerospace Tairāwhiti business case, developed by aerospace regional lead Stu Potter, highlights the region’s current strengths that could support the industry and outlines actionable steps to advance its growth.
Aerospace is an emerging sector concerned with designing, developing, and manufacturing avionics, advanced aviation and space-related products, and associated technologies and services. This includes aviation, space flight, rocketry, satellites, geospatial mapping, data analytics and research, and educational and training programmes.
The national aerospace industry body, Aerospace New Zealand, actively promotes and supports expanding the country's aerospace capabilities and economy. Valued at $1.75 billion in 2019, the government aims to increase this sector to $10 billion by 2030, indicating opportunities for significant economic benefits.
“Tairāwhiti is an appealing region for an aerospace hub as our airways are uncluttered, underutilised, and have a huge manufacturing capacity. There is immense potential here waiting to be realised, leading to higher value production, job growth, and new capabilities that could secure a place for Tairāwhiti in the global aerospace arena,” Stu says.
The aerospace sector can also support regional resilience to adverse weather events, inform sustainable land use and enhance environmental monitoring. Ultimately, it could strengthen the region’s quadruple bottom line encompassing economic, environmental, cultural and social performance.
Potter says Tairāwhiti has many existing assets to leverage to its advantage in establishing an aerospace sector.
“Those attributes include mātauranga knowledge, expertise in the primary industries and manufacturing, a forward-thinking green energy airport, and proximity to a world-class commercial launch facility. There is also a substantial youth demographic and strong support for regional and business development.”
The business case highlighted the need to explore infrastructure and educational pathways as the next steps for launching the aerospace sector in Tairāwhiti.
A further study will evaluate the infrastructural requirements to attract domestic and foreign investment and partnerships crucial for the sector’s growth in the region.
Education consultants Dr Sandy Britain and Derek Wenmoth will collaborate with other stakeholders, including Auckland and Canterbury University and Tōnui Collab, to undertake a separate study investigating career pathways, workforce skills and how current education can prepare Tairāwhiti rangatahi for aerospace opportunities. This study will lead to a comprehensive report and the launch of aerospace pilot programmes and initiatives.
Read the full Aerospace Tairāwhiti business case here.
Find more information on feasibility funding here.