A $40,000 national prize and the chance for the winner’s innovation to be used on future space missions are on offer to the entrants of New Zealand Space Challenge 2018.

Business Hawke’s Bay is the regional partner for New Zealand’s first space challenge says CEO Carolyn Neville.

She is calling on Wairoa's and Hawke's Bay's blue-sky thinkers in design, tech and digital innovators to enter, and to hear directly from SpaceBase and Space Challenge co-founders Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom and Eric Dahlstrom.

“Emeline and Eric are visiting the Bay next week. They are on a mission to create a sustainable democratised global space industry from New Zealand and have incredible credentials, amazing stories to tell and a huge vision.

Not only are they space academics, they have been involved in teams that sent the first private citizens into space, have contributed to the design of the international space station, and have been involved with many entrepreneurial space companies.

“We’re thrilled to have them visit Hawke’s Bay and to hear their stories.

This is a rare opportunity for our community to be inspired by two truly international stars of the space industry.

“As humans we’re driven to explore our planet and our solar system. We’ve already seen what New Zealand and the Bay can do when it comes to space.

Space Challenge is a chance to engage with the rapidly growing space industry and further cement New Zealand’s place as an emerging nation that can support big, grand visions on space,” says Mrs Neville.

The competition allows Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa to showcase its design, innovation and technology capabilities. Business Hawke’s Bay is looking for people with big ideas and big dreams to enter.

Not only is there a significant national prize, regional winners receive $5000, access to co-working space and start up advisory support.

“Sometimes the hardest steps to take in developing ideas are the early ones; Space Challenge provides fantastic incentive and support, and we invite those interested in entering to come to our launch event, register their interest, learn more and hear directly from SpaceBase and Space Challenge co-founders Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom and Eric Dahlstrom.”

In addition to the regional launch in Napier, Wairoa District, the Hawke’s Bay home of Rocket Lab is also hosting a Space Challenge 2018 event.

Steven May, CEO of Wairoa District says: "With Wairoa being the launching area for Rocket Lab it’s extremely exciting to have the NZ Space Challenge Project visiting the region and connecting with our youth.”

Space Challenge seeks innovative solutions using new or current technologies or data in space or on land, to enable safer more efficient navigation across Antarctica, which can be used for space missions in the future and is open to New Zealand citizens or residents.

Wairoa chapter of Space Challenge launch event

• Refreshments provided Wairoa Space Challenge event

• Friday 2 March

• 5:30pm to 7:30pm

• Wairoa War Memorial Hall, 91 -95 Queen Street, Wairoa

• Learn more about New Zealand Space Challenge 2018

• Hear from SpaceBase founders Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom and Eric Dahlstrom

• Free to attend, limited spaces available

• Refreshments provided Carolyn Neville says she is looking forward to a strong turnout at both events.

"There is a thriving tech and design community here in the Bay and people are really energised and inspired by what Rocket Lab is doing.

"We're encouraging anyone – entrepreneurs, innovators, academics and young people – to come along, and get involved with the rapidly growing space industry through New Zealand Space Challenge.

“We’re excited by the opportunity for our community. The sky really is the limit.”

For more information on New Zealand Space Challenge 2018 visit www.nzspacechallenge.com.

MEDIA RELEASE BY HAWKE'S BAY BUSINESS HUB AND SUPPORTED BY WAIROA DISTRICT COUNCIL 

31 October 2018

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