MAIEA
Māori Aerospace Collective
MAIEA – Māori Aerospace Collective is a network of Māori researchers, innovators, communities, and organisations working to shape the future of aerospace in Aotearoa and beyond.
Born out of the Māori Working Group on Aerospace (2021–2024), MAIEA was established to ensure Māori voices, values, and aspirations are not only included but are central to the rapidly growing aerospace sector. Our collective draws strength from mātauranga Māori, tikanga, and kaupapa Māori approaches, while engaging with cutting-edge science, technology, and industry.
What we stand for:
Mātauranga Māori at the heart – embedding Māori knowledge and worldviews into aerospace research and development.
Kaitiakitanga – ensuring sustainability and responsibility guide all activity on Earth and in space.
Whanaungatanga – building connections between iwi, hapū, Māori organisations, and international Indigenous partners.
Innovation and opportunity – supporting pathways for Māori in fields such as aerospace engineering, Earth observation, space medicine, and astrobiology.
MAIEA represents a vision for Māori-led aerospace futures – one where our values shape exploration, innovation, and global collaboration.
OUR MISSION
Exploring the Potential of Aerospace for Māori
At MAIEA our mission is to support the development of a Māori Aerospace sector. That means supporting what is already being done by Māori business and to help new innovative business and research grow. We are also passionate about growing the next generation of entrerpreneurs and innovators though capacity and capability development and education programmes.
Space is fundamental to how Māori recognise their origins and place in the Universe. Our kōrero tuku iho describe the journeys taken by ancestors to the celestial and one the vast oceans making it natural for us to voyage beyound what is known and familiar.
MAIEA wants to see the first Māori in space and we hope that you will join us on this journey of exploration, development and wonder.
Associate Professor Pauline Harris
Massey University
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Our Journey So Far
