Aerospace & Advanced Systems.
Auckland’s high-tech engineering strengths drive aerospace, advanced manufacturing and marine innovation.
Sector Overview
Auckland is home to a high-value engineering ecosystem that combines advanced manufacturing, high-performance materials, automation and systems control. These capabilities support globally competitive aerospace and marine technology industries.
The growing aerospace sector builds on pioneering companies such as Auckland-founded Rocket Lab. Supported by a strong network of research institutions, specialist manufacturers and technology firms, it has developed capabilities across spacecraft systems, space applications, precision engineering and advanced aviation. Companies such as Zenith Tecnica and C-Tech add expertise in additive and composite manufacturing.
Auckland also has a long-standing reputation for marine innovation and high-performance vessel design, with world-leading capabilities in yacht design, composite engineering, advanced materials and specialist boat building. Today that expertise is evolving through firms such as Vessev and EV Maritime, whose electric and hydrofoiling vessels extend the legacy into next-generation commercial and recreational craft.
Together, these industries showcase Auckland's ability to translate cutting-edge engineering into globally competitive products, reinforcing its position as a leading centre for advanced engineering innovation.
Learn more about Auckland’s aerospace sector
Why Auckland for Aerospace & Advanced Systems?
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A national aerospace cluster backed by deep research
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest aerospace cluster, with 45% of space companies and 57% share of sector revenue in 2024. The University of Auckland’s Space Institute adds applied research capability and connects engineering expertise with industry opportunities. New Zealand is the third most prolific rocket-launching country in the world.
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Cross-sector engineering
Auckland’s compact ecosystem and the versatility of New Zealand’s engineers allow talent and expertise to move across industries and sectors. Vessev’s electric hydrofoiling technology, for example, draws on experience from the New Zealand America’s Cup team, Rocket Lab and agricultural technology company Halter.
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Specialist investment and venture capital
Auckland’s aerospace and advanced marine companies are attracting growing interest from venture capital and specialist investors. Funds including Outset Ventures, Nuance, GD1, Icehouse Ventures and K1W1 have invested in companies operating across aerospace and related deep-tech fields.
Ecosystem
ORGANISATIONS
BUSINESSES
RESEARCH AND FUNDING
Success story
Zenno Astronautics: Pioneering super-magnets for sustainable space exploration
Zenno Astronautics, founded in Auckland in 2017, is pioneering a new generation of superconducting technologies that could fundamentally change how satellites manoeuvre and operate in space. The company was established to solve a growing challenge facing the global space industry: conventional satellite control systems rely on propellant, adding weight, limiting mission life and increasing operating costs. Zenno's solution uses superconducting magnets to generate precise, fuel-free attitude control, enabling satellites to remain operational for longer while reducing complexity and launch costs.
Its flagship product, the Z01 Supertorquer™, is the world's first superconducting magnetic actuator to operate successfully in space – a validation of technology with the potential to support everything from small satellite constellations to future in-space servicing and infrastructure.
Founded by University of Auckland alumnus Max Arshavsky, Zenno grew out of the university’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Winning a student-led entrepreneurship programme led to a spot in the university’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Venture Lab incubator programme, providing invaluable support and growth for the fledgling business.
Work with us
Meet Konstantin Selitskiy, our advanced manufacturing specialist.
Supports the development of Auckland's advanced manufacturing and aerospace sectors.
