The New Zealand space community made a memorable impact at IAC 2025 in Sydney, with members of the New Zealand Space Health Research Network (NZSHRN) contributing to panels, meeting global collaborators, and inspiring the next generation of space professionals.

Dr Lisa Brown was honoured to participate in a Special Session by the incredible Fay Ghani, whose leadership continues to elevate New Zealand’s presence on the international stage. Lisa shared her perspective as a Ngāi Tahu woman working to build a pathway in Space Health that creates opportunities for others, emphasising that Aotearoa has enormous potential to  contribute world-leading research in this emerging field. With continued collaboration and support, she believes New Zealand can help shape the future of health in space.

IAC 2025 was also a chance for the team to connect with new friends and reunite with familiar faces. A highlight for Lisa was the public open day, where hundreds of children (including her own) were captivated by the possibilities of space. The enthusiasm from students eager to learn more about the NZSHRN was phenomenal, marking another strong step forward for our growing community.

One of the things that makes our space ecosystem unique is the level of access and connectivity we enjoy as a small nation, something not always possible elsewhere. It’s a reminder of our shared responsibility to work with transparency and integrity so we can make the most of that opportunity.

For NZSHRN’s Founder and Space Operations Manager, Catherine Qualtrough, a key takeaway from IAC 2025 is that the challenges ahead, sustainable space operations, space health, next-generation communications, are simply too large for siloed thinking. Real progress depends on collaboration across universities, industry partners, and international borders. Working together isn’t optional, it’s how we amplify our impact and ensure Aotearoa has a strong, competitive, and ethical voice in shaping the future of space.

We extend our sincere thanks to Hon Judith Collins KC MP, the New Zealand Space Agency, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Invest New Zealand, and Aerospace New Zealand for their tireless support and leadership throughout the week. Their commitment continues to strengthen New Zealand’s visibility and influence in the global space sector.

A huge thank you to everyone who made this week so energising. Let’s continue building the connections that will carry this momentum forward for SHNZRN and Aotearoa New Zealand’s space industry.