5. Space Industry—Government Support Benefits and East Coast InfrastructureDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of Science and InnovationSpace Industry—Government Support Benefits and East Coast Infrastructure5. Dr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Minister of Science and Innovation: What is the Government doing to help New Zealand companies be part of the global space economy?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Science and Innovation): New Zealand is rapidly building a more diversified high-tech economy and one of the companies at the very leading edge of technology is our own home-grown start-up Rocket Lab. Rocket Lab is planning its first launches later this year from the East Coast of the North Island. The Government is therefore putting in place a new regulatory environment to enable safe secure and responsible space launches from New Zealand. We are also signing a technology safeguards agreement with the US to allow for the use of US rocket technology by Rocket Lab in New Zealand. The space economy is becoming immensely important to the wider world and is growing and changing rapidly. These measures will ensure New Zealand is well placed to take advantage of that growth.Dr Shane Reti: Why is it important that New Zealand puts a regulatory regime in place to assist the growth of the industry here?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: New Zealand has a number of unique advantages when it comes to rocket launches and space activities including a highly skilled workforce a safe and secure environment and relatively quiet skies surrounded by oceans and that has attracted the likes of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Google here to launch high-altitude balloons for example. We also have a number of companies and innovators at the cutting edge of the industry like Peter Beck from Rocket Lab and others looking to break in like two of the shortlisted regional research institute candidates the Centre for Space Science Technology and Earth+Vantage. Putting in place a high-quality regulatory framework to permit launches is an important part of our involvement in this growing industry and is yet another way in which we can encourage the development of an innovative dynamic and diverse economy.Dr Shane Reti: What benefits can we expect from New Zealand involvement in the global space economy?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Quite a number. Rocket Lab for example currently employs around 100 highly paid engineers which it expects will grow to several hundred over the next few years. All of its research and development is conducted in New Zealand and most of its manufacturing. It works closely with the University of Canterbury and that collaboration has led to an advanced engineering course specialising in aerospace engineering. With the Wairoa District Council consenting up to 120 launches per year from the Māhia Peninsula there are likely to be spinoff economic benefits for the East Coast region in terms of infrastructure and tourism opportunities.Marama Fox: Will the infrastructure and benefits to the East Coast include the revitalisation of the Napier to Gisborne rail link?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: I can safely assume for the member that they will not be delivering their rocket technology by rail. The company plans to transfer its technology by air and by road freight. In terms of rail between Wairoa and the wider Hawke's Bay the interest in that form of transport is unfortunately very low but there is still work continuing with the Hawke's Bay Regional Council in terms of whether it wants to make an investment to re-establish that link.Marama Fox: Thank you Minister. Can we ask then: will we see extra infrastructure include things such as broadband and roading fixtures to ensure that they can access the internet and have the infrastructure needed for Rocket Lab to be successful?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: For the member's benefit I do not think that is being driven by Rocket Lab's presence but certainly as I have said to her previously the investment in broadband infrastructure right along the East Coast is very significant and the commitment is there to do more as part of ensuring the development and diversification of the East Coast regional economy.