Space Minister Judith Collins was warned as the war in Gaza began in 2023 that if new BlackSky satellites were launched from New Zealand they could be used by Israel.
Documents obtained by 1News show officials recommended the launches go ahead, saying there were no restrictions on trade with Israel.
Collins gave the green light and RocketLab began launching the the Gen-3 BlackSky satellites from Mahia Peninsula earlier this year.
In the documents, obtained under the Official Information Act, Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment officials said while there were risks, the positives outweighed the negatives.
The officials’ advice on the satellite launches stated: “While it poses risks, there is a net good associated with commercially available remote sensing due to the wide range of applications.”
One risk they identified related to Israel, but they said there were mitigating factors.
“There are no United Nations Security Council sanctions on Israel, and New Zealand does not implement autonomous sanctions outside the context of the conflict in Ukraine,” they advised the Minister.
“There are also no policy restrictions on New Zealand’s trading relationship with Israel.”
The documents also show that when MBIE officials recommended the application be approved they were aware experts at the United Nations were warning a possible genocide could unfold in Gaza and that schools and hospitals were being bombed.
The officials’ advice came in December 2023, two months after the Hamas attacks on Israel which left 1,200 people dead. Israel in response launched a retaliatory offensive in Gaza that has killed more than 68,000 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
‘Right decision’
Collins said this week the decision was the right one.
“We don’t have sanctions on Israel, we’re not at war with Israel, Israel is not our enemy,” she said.
“It is very clear to me that we need to be able to get on and do the job, we are very fortunate to be in the position where we are third in the world for successful vertical launches.”
But Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said it was an “appalling” decision that could fuel human rights abuses.
“The Government has done worse than sit on its hands, it has actively provided a permit for military imaging technology to be used by the Israeli occupational forces,” Swarbrick told 1News.
According to the company, BlackSky Gen-3 satellites provide its customers with “space-based intelligence that moves at warfighter speed”.
“Gen-3 gives decision makers the ability to discern vital aircraft movements, ground vehicle positioning and critical facility operations that can provide valuable real-time context to multisource intelligence efforts.”
Officials at New Zealand’s space agency declined to be interviewed about Blacksky and RocketLab did not respond to a request for an interview with its founder Sir Peter Beck.