New Zealand Space Agency Mission Patch Competition

Aotearoa is no longer just watching the stars; we are actively launching into them. To celebrate a decade of growth and innovation in our local aerospace industry, the New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA) is inviting primary and intermediate students to leave their mark on history through the "Patch to the Future" competition.

The New Zealand Space Agency is running a national "Patch to the Future" competition for Year 1–8 students to design an official mission patch celebrating 10 years of the local space sector. Adobe Stock.

In the world of space exploration, mission patches are more than just decoration. They tell the story of a mission, its people, and the values they carry into the atmosphere. This competition asks rangatahi to tap into their creativity and scientific curiosity to design an official patch that represents New Zealand’s unique place in space.

Competition Details for Kaiako and Whānau

This is a brilliant opportunity for kaiako to blend art, design, and science in the classroom. Students can research the last ten years of our space journey—from Rocket Lab launches at Māhia to the first Kiwi-made satellites—while imagining what the next decade might hold.

• Eligibility: Open to students in Years 1–8 (ages 5–13) enrolled at New Zealand schools.

• Categories: Years 1–3, Years 4–6, and Years 7–8.

• The Prize: The overall winner will have their design produced as an official NZSA patch and receive a custom NZSA jacket. Their school will also receive a visit from a Space Agency representative.

• Key Dates: Competition is open now and entries close at 11:59 pm, Friday 5 June 2026.

• Submission: Entries must be submitted as a PDF via email to nzspaceagency@mbie.govt.nz with a signed parent or caregiver consent form.

  
  

Commemorating a Decade with a New Zealand Space Agency Mission Patch

The New Zealand space sector has grown from a bold idea into a world-leading industry worth over $1.7 billion. By entering the New Zealand Space Agency mission patch competition, students engage directly with a high-tech industry flourishing in their own backyard. This challenge is about more than drawing; it is about connecting our local rangatahi with the high-level science and decision-making that puts Aotearoa on the global map. Whether hand-drawn or digitally created, every entry helps tell the story of our nation's reach toward the stars.

Pānuihia kia mōhio mai ai: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/science-and-technology/space/about-nzsa/celebrating-10-years-of-new-zealands-space-sector

Kaiako are grateful for opportunities to involve rangatahi in the thriving Aotearoa New Zealand space sector, showing them that world-class science and engineering pathways start right here in our local classrooms.