New Zealand has accepted an invitation to join the US-led multinational space initiative, Operation Olympic Defender, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced.

The initiative aims to coordinate the space capabilities of member nations, enhance the resilience of space-based systems, deter hostile actions in space, and reduce debris in orbit.

Current members include the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.

New Zealand’s contribution will involve deploying a New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) liaison officer to the US Space Command in Colorado for two years.

“New Zealand is committed to the safe, responsible, secure, and sustainable use of space, and ensuring the resilience of space infrastructure. This decision highlights our commitment to playing our part to support the international rules-based system as it relates to freedom of access to space,” said Collins.

The liaison officer’s deployment will provide the NZDF with vital experience in space operations and demonstrates New Zealand's dedication to upholding responsible behaviour in space.

Defence Minister, Judith Collins

“Space-based technologies are essential to New Zealand’s security and well-being, such as using satellite imagery to track illegal fishing or GPS to support our maritime supply chains,” Collins added.

“These assets allow for better communication, faster decision-making, and help maintain an effective, efficient, combat-capable Defence Force.”

New Zealand is also a member of the Combined Space Operations initiative, a forum focused on building norms of behaviour in space and fostering military cooperation among like-minded nations.