Aotearoa in space – a context for learning
Although Aotearoa New Zealand is a relative newcomer to the international space industry, a deep knowledge of space enabled early Polynesians to navigate to these islands and develop mātauranga to thrive in a new environment. Innovation and kaitiakitanga, which underpin tātai arorangi, also underpin Aotearoa New Zealand's growing space sector.
New Zealand Space Agency logo
Set up in 2016, the New Zealand Space Agency is the lead government agency for space activity. The agency oversees space policy, regulation and sector development.
We’re going on a journey to understand what activities are compatible with the values that we hold dear – whether the values of our hapū and whānau, or the values of New Zealand society at large. This is a journey for New Zealand Aotearoa, as a whole. And it is an unfolding conversation.
David Perenara-O’Connell, Māngai, Tāwhaki Joint Venture
Space has always been a source of fascination for humans. Our ability to access space has not dimmed our fascination – indeed, it has deepened our understanding of what’s above and provided greater insights to what is happening on Earth.
Tātai arorangi – Māori astronomy
Early Polynesian explorers used their astronomical and celestial knowledge to navigate the South Pacific. Once settled in Aotearoa, they adapted their knowledge to the new environment. Dr Pauline Harris (Victoria University of Wellington and Society of Māori Astronomy Research and Traditions – SMART) and David Perenara-O’Connell (Māngai, Tāwhaki Joint Venture) discuss tātai arorangi – detailed astronomical knowledge – and provide some examples.
Questions for discussion:
Pauline says that, when Māori arrived in Aotearoa, they needed to modify their tātai arorangi to fit the local environment. Why did they need to do this?
David talks of the stars constantly moving overhead. How do you think this movement guides the gathering of mahinga kai?
Key themes in Aotearoa New Zealand in space
The resources featured in Aotearoa New Zealand in space reflect the themes of:
mōhiotanga – understanding
auaha – innovation
kaitiakitanga – protection
mahi tahi – collaboration
wawata – aspiration
mīharo – wonder.
The suite of space resources showcase how satellites and remote sensing are helping scientists better understand big issues like climate change, water quality and resource management. This knowledge will help guide the actions needed to protect our land, seas and skies. The resources feature innovative research and development that is making Aotearoa an inviting and exciting place to do business.
So you want to work in space?
Space entrepreneur Mark Rocket says that the aerospace industry needs the full spectrum of people joining it. But what does it take to work in the sector? Watch as a few experts describe the dispositions that can help make space jobs happen.
And remember the words of David Perenara-O’Connell: “Be innovative, think outside the square, because careers that we think of today are not going to be the careers of tomorrow.”
Statements for discussion:
If you look at what most astronauts did – they are not often engineers – they’re medical doctors, they are geologists, they’re biologists. You can come from literally any background to get involved in the space or aerospace industry.
We need diversity because diverse teams solve problems quicker, better, more effectively.
We need Māori rangatahi to be present to develop things that are important to us as Māori.
We also need people who are great communicators.
We’re trying to solve problems that are incredibly complex. All of the easy ones have already been done quite some time ago.
If your teachers aren’t providing you with the knowledge that you are passionate about and that you want to learn, you have to reach out and find that knowledge yourself.
Wawata – seeing ourselves in space
The resources also showcase a number of people working in the space sector. The videos reflect the expanding diversity of careers directly associated with the growing aerospace missions and industries in Aotearoa. The experts share their knowledge, personal stories and the dispositions that lead to success within the sector. In addition to providing targeted science knowledge, the experts hope to inspire ākonga to see themselves in space and to explore potential career opportunities.
The videos include written transcripts, discussion questions to engage and deepen student interaction with the video and jargon alerts to explain content vocabulary. Access this information by clicking on the blue i(nformation) icon or using the 'select here' option that appear below each video.
Curriculum links for levels 3–4
Aotearoa in space is designed for middle and upper primary school students. Curriculum links include:
nature of science – understanding about science and the ways in which scientists work together and provide evidence to support their ideas
Plan et Earth and Beyond – interacting systems and effects on climate
Living World – ecology and how living things respond to environmental changes
social studies – understanding how people make decisions about access to and use of resources
nature of technology – understanding how technology influences society and environments and how technology is fit for purpose
technological practice – planning and outcome development
digital technology – computational thinking and designing and developing digital outcomes.
The activities use familiar and local contexts to bring the science concepts to life. All Hub activities are in downloadable Word format – educators are encouraged to edit the materials to suit student needs.
The science and mātauranga concepts in the articles and media are also suitable for secondary school students.
Build a satellite
This interactive simulation is designed to develop students’ understanding of satellites and their usefulness with real-life research in Aotearoa New Zealand. The simulation requires users to build their knowledge and understanding about the requirements of each mission along with the satellite components needed to successfully launch a satellite that is fit for the mission’s purpose.
The simulation has three missions:
Find dark vessels fishing illegally
Track an albatross population
Monitor Earth movements
At each stage, there is access to a help button and links to additional resources that will support student learning in order to make accurate decisions throughout the satellite build and launch.
Simulation instructions
Click and drag components onto the satellite outline. Components can be added and removed. You will need to select all of the essential components as well as choose the correct payload component for your mission. Choosing the wrong payload means your satellite will not be able to collect data. Hover your mouse or finger over and select the three dots on each component to find out more information about its purpose.
Select a suitable orbit for your satellite’s mission. Choosing the wrong orbit means your satellite won’t be able to collect data.
For optimal viewing, use landscape orientation when using a tablet or iPad.
This is a simulation, so please note there may be small inaccuracies and satellite components and orbits are not to scale.
See the activity Build a satellite for a mission for a mission for additional support in using this interactive simulation.
Related content
These resources provide helpful background information.
Read more about building satellites.
Discover more about using satellites to track:
Activity ideas
Use the data the satellites collect during the simulation to analyse:
albatross nesting sites on a Chatham Islands sea stack
slow slip Earth movements near the East Coast’s Māhia Peninsula.
Consider doing the activity Interpreting observations from satellite images prior to these activities. It introduces strategies that are useful when interpreting satellite images.
Acknowledgement
This resource has been produced with funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the support of the New Zealand Space Agency.
Rights: Crown copyright
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the New Zealand Space Agency
The New Zealand Space Agency, part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, is the lead government agency for space policy, regulation and sector development.
Teaching in context
Aotearoa in space can form rich real-life contexts for developing students’ thinking, visioning and problem-solving skills and an array of key competencies.
They allow ākonga to explore:
tātai aorangi and science knowledge
kaitiakitanga – including ethics, values, sustainability and conservation
opportunities – for innovation, curiosity, problem solving, tinkering and creating change
the nature of science and the science capabilities ‘Gathering and interpreting data’ and ‘Participating and contributing’ – using knowledge to bring about change.
The interactive Build a satellite enables students to put their new knowledge and skills to work to build a fit-for-purpose satellite. This online activity and interpreting the data it collects mirrors what really happens in space industries around the globe!
Resources to support learning
The following resources showcase the growing space sector and the innovative ways technology is being used to address environmental and social issues in Aotearoa. Student activities bring the concepts to life and give learners a taste of what it is like to work in space.
Te ao Māori – space whakapapa – article
SMART – Māori Astronomy – article
Working in the space sector – article
Tāwhaki – ecosystems restoration and aerospace opportunities – article
Space debris – article
MethaneSAT – turning data into action – article
Measuring methane from space – article
Methane – a greenhouse gas – article
What is a CubeSat? – article
CubeSats, crystals and microgravity – article
Remote sensing – article
Remote sensing and water quality – article
Innovations in aerospace – article
How are satellites helping albatross? – article
How do we know the Earth has moved? – article
Build a satellite – interactive
Creating a space treaty – activity
Making digital space debris clean-up games – activity
Validating remote sensing observations – activity
Build a 3D satellite model – activity
Micro:bit and space projects – activity
Can I work in the space industry? – activity
Building a satellite for a mission – activity
Analysing satellite data for finding dark vessels – activity
Analysing satellite data to track Earth movements – activity
Related content
Our recorded webinar gives a helpful overview of the resources that make up part of Aotearoa and space content.
Revitalising Māori astronomy explores tātai arorangi.
Rocket Lab was instrumental in putting Aotearoa in the global space spotlight. This introductory article collates the Hub’s rocket resources, with Peter Beck and Mark Rocket at the helm.
Satellites have been part of our lives for decades. This introductory article collates the Hub’s satellite resources.
There are a lot of resources in Aotearoa in space. The Hub team has created collections of resources that have a more narrow, targeted :
Useful link
Visit the New Zealand Space Agency website for more information about space policy, regulation and sector development.
Acknowledgement
This resource has been produced with funding from the Ministry of Business, n and Employment and the support of the New Zealand Space Agency.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the New Zealand Space Agency
The New Zealand Space Agency, part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, is the lead government agency for space policy, regulation and sector development.
