No rocket launches are proposed for the new aerospace facility planned for Kaitōrete Spit, near Christchurch. Aerospace research facilities including a runway for unmanned aircraft will be built at Kaitōrete Spit south of Christchurch if a joint-venture bid by the Crown and local rūnanga is approved. Rocket launches previously proposed as part of the plan have been dropped in favour of testing unmanned, remotely piloted vertical and horizontal take-off craft, or drones. Kaitōrete Land Holding bought the farmland on the spit in mid-2020 for $16 million at the Crown’s expense. The strip earmarked for the vegetated runway runs across rather than along Kaitōrete Spit.

Source: Stuff April 26, 2022 23:55 UTC