Aerospace New Zealand Meet-Up #39 - Constellations - Tāmaki-Makaurau Auckland
Aerospace New Zealand Meet-Up #39 – Constellations, Tāmaki-Makaurau Auckland took place recently, bringing together a vibrant mix of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders from across Auckland and New Zealand’s aerospace sector. The evening was all about connection, collaboration, and staying at the forefront of cutting-edge aerospace technology and innovation.
The event kicked off with networking at 5.00pm, where attendees had the chance to meet new faces, reconnect with colleagues, and share ideas and opportunities. At 5.30pm, the presentations began, featuring a diverse line-up of speakers who each brought unique perspectives to the room:
Tim Greene – CEO, Caliber Design – sharing insights on engineering solutions and the role of design in advancing aerospace projects.
Sam Horsefield – Senior Advisor, Operational Policy, New Zealand Space Agency – updating attendees on key developments in New Zealand’s space sector and the opportunities ahead.
Nigel Kelly – Advanced Materials/Metal Area Manager, Biesse – delivering an Associate Pitch on advanced materials and manufacturing capabilities.
Güneş Haksever & Sarah Gibbs – Senior Associates, Dentons – providing legal and regulatory perspectives for companies operating in the aerospace sector.
Don Yeh – Lead Product Manager, PrintGig – introducing innovative approaches in product development and technology.
Adam Houston – Senior Advisor, Emerging Technologies Programme, CAA & Andy Seay – Unmanned Aircraft Inspector, CAA – discussing regulatory challenges and opportunities in emerging technologies and unmanned aviation.
Ben Taylor – Co-Founder, Frond Space Systems – showcasing new ventures in space systems and the entrepreneurial journey behind building them.
The meet-up reinforced the importance of bringing together diverse expertise—engineering, policy, law, product development, and entrepreneurship—to strengthen New Zealand’s aerospace ecosystem. The mix of speakers and perspectives sparked engaging discussions about the future of aerospace in Aotearoa and how collaboration can drive innovation.
A huge thank you to our event sponsors, Caliber Design, and to Aerospace Auckland and GridAKL for hosting us in such a dynamic and inspiring venue.