Rocket tourism studied

Work is continuing on the launch site for the Rocket Lab project on Mahia Peninsula.

More research should be done into the tourism spin-off from the establishment of a Rocket Lab at Mahia Peninsula, Hawke's Bay Regional Council's Corporate and Strategic Committee says.

Auckland-based company Rocket Lab is proposing to launch medium-sized rockets to deliver low orbit satellites for both commercial and government customers.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council agreed to co-ordinate and part-fund a scoping study to research tourism opportunities around rocket launches.

Funding also came from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, Hawke's Bay Tourism, Wairoa District Council, and Gisborne District Council/Activate Tairawhiti.

The study found while observing rocket launches is likely to attract some additional tourists, it is difficult to quantify how popular it will be.

An inter-agency steering group has been recommended to oversee and monitor the initial activity and undertake further market research.

The committee is recommending the council contribute up to $20,000 to fund further market research on the rocket tourism and related infrastructure challenges and opportunities. The recommendation will go to the full council for confirmation later this month.