Steven Gaskell: Iwi In Space — With the New Zealand Government

New Zealand has apparently decided that if we're going to reach for the stars, we might as well take co-governance with us. The result is Tāwhaki, a Crown–iwi aerospace venture being developed at Kaitōrete Spit near Christchurch. It sounds impressive. Rockets, satellites, technology, investment and highly skilled jobs. What's not to like? Well, the interesting part is who owns it, who pays for it and who gets a say over what gets launched.

Tāwhaki was started in 2021 under the Jacinda Ardern Labour Government, with then Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods announcing the Crown rūnanga partnership. The Government put up $16 million at the beginning, including $14 million towards the Crown's share of buying the 1,000-hectare property. A further $2 million grant helped fund the rūnanga's share. Government funding has continued since then, taking reported Crown investment to more than $35 million.

The iwi partners are Te Taumutu Rūnanga and Wairewa Rūnanga, represented through Kaitōrete Limited. They aren't simply consultants brought in to offer cultural advice and then sent home. The arrangement gives the Crown and rūnanga equal ownership and governance interests.

So what does iwi bring to the table?

Their contribution includes mana whenua interests, cultural and historical knowledge, strategic input, intellectual property and interests in surrounding land. In return, they have a 50 percent interest in the venture, an equal role in governance and a share of any future profits.

That could prove to be a very good investment if Tāwhaki becomes the successful aerospace hub its supporters envisage. New Zealand could gain jobs, technology, private investment and a valuable foothold in an increasingly important industry.

Nobody should object to that.

But there is a rather large elephant sitting next to the rocket.

Space technology can have military uses.

A satellite doesn't need to carry a missile to be strategically important. Communications, navigation, surveillance and intelligence technology can all have defence applications. A commercial launch today can potentially have national-security implications tomorrow.

That's why the latest debate over who gets to use the facility matters.

Tāwhaki has indicated that it could support NZDF launches for national-security purposes. Some rūnanga members have argued for much stronger restrictions on military or militarised activity.

And suddenly our shiny new space industry has wandered straight into the same old argument about co-governance.

The Government is responsible for New Zealand's defence and national security. Ministers answer to Parliament and, ultimately, the voters. Yet an equal partner in this Crown–iwi venture has a significant voice over what activities it considers acceptable at the facility.

That's where reasonable people can ask a fairly simple question: when national security is involved, who gets the final say?

This isn't an argument against Māori culture or Māori participation. Māori have served New Zealand in the armed forces with distinction for generations. Recognising history and involving mana whenua in a development project is hardly controversial.

But there's a difference between respecting culture and allowing cultural or ideological views to determine national strategic policy.

The original deal was made by the Labour Government. The current Government inherited it. Now it has to work out where the boundary sits.

Because if taxpayers are helping fund nationally important infrastructure, the national interest should come first when defence is involved.

We may soon have rockets capable of reaching orbit.

Let's just hope they don't need a cultural clearance certificate before they can leave New Zealand.

Steven is an entrepreneur and an ex RNZN diver who likes travelling, renovating houses, Swiss Watches, history, chocolate art and art deco.