Inspire the next generation

Aerospace New Zealand inspires and educates young minds about aerospace through hands-on, interactive programmes.

They lead and manage outreach initiatives like Mission to Space and Kids in Space. Their programmes and holiday camps immerse students in astronaut training, rocketry, and space missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The Aotearoa Aerospace Academy enhances the visibility and attractiveness of aerospace careers to improve the aerospace talent pipeline, with camps specifically for Māori, Pasifika, and women - groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM and aerospace fields.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Hosting students onsite
• Providing role models and speakers Facilitating school visits and organising aerospace industry trips
• Industry trips and speakers as part of the Mission to Space programmes to offer students real-world insights and inspiration.

Website: www.aerospace.org.nz/aaa

Contact: Brydee Gibbins at aaa@aerospace.org.nz

The Air Force Museum of New Zealand offers a dynamic and engaging venue ideal for aerospace pathway programmes and events.

The Air Force Museum provides a stimulating environment for activities such as space camps and educational programmes focused on the theory of flight.

The Museum features various rental spaces, including meeting rooms, a café, a theatre, and large open areas, making it an excellent choice for hosting aerospace-related events, educational programmes, and gatherings.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• The Museum relies on venue hire to help maintain its world-class learning environment
• Sponsorship of events
• Donation of items

Website: www.airforcemuseum.co.nz

Contact: Rob Liddell at info@airforcemuseum.co.nz

The Rocketeers introduce students and the community to aerospace through hobby rocketry and events.

The mission of Christchurch Rocketeers Inc is to boost interest in STEM fields, particularly in areas with limited aerospace exposure, such as all-girl schools and lower socio-economic areas.

The Rocketeers introduce students and the community to aerospace through hobby rocketry and events including build workshops, monthly launch days, and school visits. They also provide mentorship and support for those interested in advancing to high-power rocketry.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Sponsorship and direct funding
• Volunteers are needed for workshops and mentorship – and provide a valuable opportunity to inspire and engage with aspiring rocketeers.

Website: www.christchurchrocketeers.space Contact: Simon Willoughby-Martin at chchrocketeers@gmail.com

Inspiring the Future Aotearoa connects young people with industry role models to broaden their career perspectives and challenge stereotypes.

Their initiative targets school students aged 7+ and young people up to 24 who are not currently in education, employment, or training.

The organisation facilitates this connection by inviting professionals to participate in interactive career events. Role models engage with students through school visits or online sessions, sharing insights about their careers and the paths they took to reach their current positions. These events are designed to provide real-world perspectives and inspire students to consider a wide range of career possibilities.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Signing up employees to become role models Hosting events at company sites for young people to give them insights into the industry.

Website: www.inspiringthefuture.org.nz

Contact: Dina Demiri at inspiringthefuture@tec.govt.nz

Kiwibots is a national charity providing robotics kits and resources to schools, libraries and clubs.

Kiwibots supports new entrants through to university age with opportunities to develop communication, collaboration and creativity skills in a fun way using STEAM. They run regular competitions and are invited to compete in the World Champs in the USA each year.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Participating in activities
• Providing role models or speakers
• Sponsorship

Website: www.kiwibots.co.nz

Contact: Michelle Hazeleger-Mollard at contact@kiwibots.co.nz

Pūhoro fosters a leading Māori STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Māori) community through a Māori worldview.

Pūhoro support rangatahi Māori from Year 11 and kura Māori nationally, with weekly school visits and termly wānanga (STEMM experience days).

Their programme aims to increase Māori participation and success in STEMM fields, providing industry experiences, mentoring, and tutoring. Pūhoro operates in ten regions, engaging over 2,500 rangatahi and collaborating with STEMM partners to offer scholarships, internships, and whānau events.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Sponsorship
• Hosting students onsite
• Participating in activities
• Providing role models or speakers
• School visits

Website: www.puhoro.org.nz

Contact: Leland Ruwhiu or Mana Hourua at Info@puhoro.org.nz

SpacewardBound advances space sciences education by offering a range of programmes including astrobiology field trips, space outreach events, and conferences.

SpacewardBound use immersive experiences such as a digital planetarium, VR experiences, robotics, and hands-on field trips to connect students with the curriculum and inspire interest in STEM fields, particularly aerospace.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Sponsorship
• Donations of items
• Offering insights into vocational pathways in aerospace

Website: www.spacewardbound.nz

Contact: Sam Leske or Haritina Mogosanu at education@spacewardbound.nz

The University of Canterbury Aerospace Club introduces students and the community to aerospace and highlights the pathways available in STEM fields leading to aerospace careers.

UC Aerospace primarily serves students at the University of Canterbury, but also reaches out to the general community and youth through its outreach events. Activities include Hot Rockets launches, careers and engineering fairs, and hands-on rocketry programmes that lead up to major projects such as the Spaceport America Cup.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Sponsorship is especially vital for the club’s ongoing operations
• Hosting students onsite
• Donating materials such as carbon fibre, epoxy and hardener
• Providing role models and speakers

Website: www.ucaerospace.com

Contact: Rushihl Gentejohann at r.gentejohann@ucaerospace.com

Women in Space is a professional network supporting women and gender minorities working in the space sector, while also demonstrating pathways and providing mentorship to young women who want to pursue a career in space.

WISANZ holds networking events and workshops for tertiary and professional members. The WISANZ Space Up! high school club runs annual contests with a goal to engage students on a specific topic while introducing them to women in the industry.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Sponsorship
• Participation in events
• Donation of items
• Providing role models or speakers

Website: www.womeninspace.co.nz

Contact: info@womeninspace.co.nz

Talent flow into the space sector is the bottle neck to growth. It’s important we share the opportunities and career paths the space sector offers for jobs of the future. The 8 Minutes to Space podcast aims to inform and inspire students, parents, career advisors and teachers of the huge potential in the space sector.

Aimed at students, teachers and parents the 8 Minutes to Space podcast interviews people in the industry to outline how they got into the space sector with the aim of inspiring new talent into the industry.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Sponsorship
• Providing role models or speakers
• Subscribing and promoting the podcast to target audiences.

Website: Website coming soon

Contact: Gill Dal Din at gilldaldin1@gmail.com

Empowering young New Zealanders by teaching skills and fostering creativity.

Code Club teaches coding and digital skills to children aged 7-13, aiming to nurture future tech innovators. Through free, volunteer-led clubs, they provide hands-on coding sessions and engaging projects that build foundational tech skills and promote problem-solving.

Their programme, involving industry experts, seeks to bridge the digital divide by offering equitable access to technology education. Partnering with schools and libraries, Code Club Aotearoa reaches over 4,000 children each week, fostering digital literacy and creating pathways into tech careers.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Sponsorship
• Participating in activities

Website: www.codeclub.nz

Contact: Kelsey Hallahan, Programme Manager at Kelsey@dfa.nz

Inspiring the Future Aotearoa connects young people with industry role models to broaden their career perspectives and challenge stereotypes.

Their initiative targets school students aged 7+ and young people up to 24 who are not currently in education, employment, or training.

The organisation facilitates this connection by inviting professionals to participate in interactive career events. Role models engage with students through school visits or online sessions, sharing insights about their careers and the paths they took to reach their current positions. These events are designed to provide real-world perspectives and inspire students to consider a wide range of career possibilities.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Signing up employees to become role models Hosting events at company sites for young people to give them insights into the industry.

Website: www.inspiringthefuture.org.nz

Contact: Dina Demiri at inspiringthefuture@tec.govt.nz

Kiwibots is a national charity providing robotics kits and resources to schools, libraries and clubs.

Kiwibots supports new entrants through to university age with opportunities to develop communication, collaboration and creativity skills in a fun way using STEAM. They run regular competitions and are invited to compete in the World Champs in the USA each year.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Participating in activities
• Providing role models or speakers
• Sponsorship

Website: www.kiwibots.co.nz

Contact: Michelle Hazeleger-Mollard at contact@kiwibots.co.nz

Pūhoro fosters a leading Māori STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Māori) community through a Māori worldview.

Pūhoro support rangatahi Māori from Year 11 and kura Māori nationally, with weekly school visits and termly wānanga (STEMM experience days).

Their programme aims to increase Māori participation and success in STEMM fields, providing industry experiences, mentoring, and tutoring. Pūhoro operates in ten regions, engaging over 2,500 rangatahi and collaborating with STEMM partners to offer scholarships, internships, and whānau events.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Sponsorship
• Hosting students onsite
• Participating in activities
• Providing role models or speakers
• School visits

Website: www.puhoro.org.nz

Contact: Leland Ruwhiu or Mana Hourua at Info@puhoro.org.nz

RAD refurbishes laptops to provide digital access and support New Zealand’s future tech workforce.

RAD focuses on Māori and Pasifika youth, low-income communities, and those lacking tech access. RAD partners with schools and community groups to offer refurbishment training and repair sessions, distributing the laptops to those in need.

Their mission is to bridge the digital divide, empower youth with tech skills, and contribute to sustainability by reducing e-waste and promoting digital inclusion.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Donation of items
• Sponsorship
• Hosting students onsite

Website: www.recycleadevice.nz

Contact: Kelsey Hallahan, Programme Manager at kelsey@dfa.nz

Tagata Moana Trust supports Pacific children and youth, aged 5-18, by fostering their involvement in STEAM (Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Tagata Moana Trust offer in-school and after-school programmes, pathways events, mentoring, and operate a mobile Makerspace across the South Island.

Their goal is to address the underrepresentation of Pacific peoples in the tech sector, which is crucial for New Zealand’s diverse and growing tech industry. Engaging over 20,000 Pacific individuals annually, they seek industry support to enhance their programmes and build a more inclusive tech workforce.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Sponsorship
• Hosting students onsite
• Participating in activities
• Donation of items
• Providing role models or speakers
• School visits

Website: www.tagatamoana.com

Contact: Poasa Alaifea, Partnership lead at Poasa@tagatamoana.com

The ShadowTech programme aims to inspire high school girls to pursue tech careers and provide mentoring for women already in the tech industry.

ShadowTech Day pairs Year 9-11 students with local tech businesses, allowing them to experience a day in the tech world and explore potential career paths.

The programme, which runs annually in August, seeks to address the gender disparity in tech, where women make up only 29 per cent of the workforce and fewer girls consider tech careers compared to boys.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Sponsorship
• Hosting students onsite
• Providing role models or speakers

Website: www.techwomen.nz

Contact: Yvonne Gill, Executive Director at yvonne.gill@techalliance.nz

Te Hapori Matihiko supports Māori engagement in digital and tech by providing a variety of learning and networking opportunities.

Te Hapori Matihiko host online sessions, events, the Matihiko Awards, and pathway programmes to amplify Māori voices in the digital realm. Their activities include digital strategy workshops, marae resilience wānanga, youth gaming events, technology expos, and regional networking events.

They aim to foster equitable access, safeguard Māori culture, advocate for policy changes, and connect the Māori digitech community.

Ways you or your business can collaborate:

• Sponsorship
• Hosting students onsite
• Participating in activities
• Providing role models or speakers

Website: www.matihiko.nz

Contact: Maryanne Madden, Kaiāwhina or Elle Archer, Executive Chair, kiaora@matihiko.nz