A group of 30-40 protesters gathered outside Te Pae Convention Centre today to protest the first day of the National Aerospace Summit, taking issue with the industry’s overt ties to the U.S. military and the Israeli Defence Force (IDF).
The protest, organised by Peace Action Ōtautahi, is the first of a two day action over the course of the summit. The second day, 8/10/25, will see 150+ activists blockade the convention centre, and prevent the main day of the summit from taking place.
Peace Action Ōtautahi spokesperson Joseph Bray had this to say:
“Today we let the aerospace industry know that there is strong public opposition to the militarisation of space in Aotearoa, but at tomorrow’s protest, that message will be unavoidable.” Bray continues, “The reliance on the U.S. military to prop up New Zealand’s aerospace sector comes at a cost to the safety, freedom, and independence of our country.”
Bray alludes to tomorrow’s planned action, which will see 150+ activists blockade the centre and shut down the summit, barring figures like Judith Collins and Peter Beck from attending.
The protests come as Defence Minister Judith Collins prepares the defence sector for budget and output increases under the new ‘Defence Capability Plan.’ This plan will see drastic increases to domestic military production, including up to $450m for ‘lethal drones’.
Bray continues:
“Judith Collin’s Defence Capability Plan is a brazen attempt to suck-up to the United States, and position Aotearoa firmly on the wrong side of history. We’re entering an arms race against an imaginary enemy, and we’re doing it under the guise of space exploration and innovation.”
Peace Action Ōtautahi is highly concerned that Collins prepares to announce New Zealand’s entry into AUKUS Pillar II.