新西兰南地卫星地面站新总部动工 推动航天产业发展并创造就业机会
新西兰区域发展部长和区域发展副部长宣布，位于南地布拉夫（Bluff）附近的阿瓦鲁阿卫星地面站（Awarua Satellite Ground Station）新总部正式开工建设。
Shane Jones表示：“即使不是火箭科学家，也能看出这对南地和新西兰来说是一个难得的发展机遇。”
他说，阿瓦鲁阿地面站目前已是全球卫星运营的重要节点，随着此次扩建，未来将进一步提升运营能力，把当地高技能员工人数由目前的21人增加至约30人，同时带动南地高附加值经济活动，并进一步巩固新西兰在地面航天基础设施领域的竞争力。
这项总投资455万纽元的工程由Space Operations New Zealand（SpaceOps NZ）负责，包括建设一座多功能总部、维修车间及配套基础设施。项目获得区域基础设施基金（Regional Infrastructure Fund）提供最高225万纽元贷款支持，其余资金由SpaceOps NZ共同投资。
Mark Patterson表示，这项工程标志着项目迈入重要阶段。
他说，新西兰正稳步提升在全球航天产业中的地位，同时为本地创造更多就业和经济发展机会。南地地区近年来持续推动经济多元化发展，在传统农业优势基础上，引入更多高科技产业，这项项目正是其中的重要一环。
工程建设期间预计将创造约10个就业岗位，整个项目预计于2027年初完工。
Construction of a new headquarters at the Awarua Satellite Ground Station near Bluff has begun, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson say.
“You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see why this is a great opportunity for Southland and New Zealand,” Mr Jones says.
“Awarua is already a critical part of global satellite operations, and this expansion will enable further growth over time, lifting the local workforce from 21 to around 30 highly skilled roles, increasing high-value economic activity in Southland, and strengthening New Zealand’s ground-based space infrastructure.”
The $4.55 million project, led by Space Operations New Zealand (SpaceOps NZ), includes a multi-purpose headquarters, workshops, and supporting infrastructure. It is supported by a loan of up to $2.25 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund alongside co-investment from SpaceOps NZ.
Mr Patterson welcomed the milestone.
“We’re seeing real momentum for a project that will strengthen New Zealand’s position in the global space industry while delivering jobs and economic opportunity at home,” Mr Patterson says.
“Southland continues to diversify its regional economy, and this project builds on that by creating new, high-tech opportunities alongside the region’s traditional strengths in primary production.”
The project is expected to create around 10 jobs during construction. Completion is estimated for early 2027.
