New Zealand Rocketry Association

The New Zealand Rocketry Association is a model rocketry organisation based in Auckland, New Zealand. The NZRA holds launches and meetings bi-monthly at its Taupiri launch site,[1] an hour south of Auckland, and has an annual launch day.[2] Launch clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority is required for all launches, to ensure there are no aircraft flying through the area.[1]

On 19 April 2025, a team of NZRA members led by Ethan Kosoof launched Meraki II from Mt. White Station, near Arthur's Pass. The two-stage (O7800 to N3100) rocket travelled up to Mach 5.6 and reached 121.6 km (75.6 mi), thereby crossing the Kármán line — making it the first non-American amateur rocket to reach space.[3][4]

Altitude records

The NZRA holds altitude records within New Zealand for each class of rocket motor, from A-N (except for M), for both single stage and multistage/cluster rockets. Every record, as of October 2023, is listed below:

Single Stage NZRA Altitude Records
Motor Class Motor: Name(s) of Holder(s): Date: Altitude:
A A8-3 Tom, Antoni & Emilia Mackenzie 14 June 2020 279 m (915 ft)
B B6-6 Tom, Antoni & Emilia Mackenzie 6 February 2021 269 m (883 ft)
C C12-6 Oliver Bergquist 19 December 2021 272 m (892 ft)
D D24-T Jack Davies 1 December 2013 646 m (2,119 ft)
E E12 Jack Davies 31 May 2014 795 m (2,608 ft)
F F24W Jack Davies 9 March 2014 1,008 m (3,307 ft)
G G80T Ian Parker & Dave Stephens 7 May 2022 1,742 m (5,715 ft)
H H268R Jim Hefkey 6 May 2012 2,512 m (8,241 ft)
I I391SN Kelvin McVinnie 9 January 2022 2,739 m (8,986 ft)
J J510 Joel Schiff 3 May 2014 5,600 m (18,400 ft)
K K480 Joel Schiff & Martin Aspell 7 April 2013 6,135 m (20,128 ft)
L L546 Kim McVinnie 9 February 2020 4,666 m (15,308 ft)
M M977SM Kim McVinnie 4 May 2024 6,618 m (21,715 ft)
N N1000W Joel Schiff & Martin Aspell 20 February 2011 10,275 m (33,711 ft)
Multistage/Cluster NZRA Altitude Records
Motor Class: Motors: Name(s) of Holder(s): Date: Altitude:
E 3x D18-6 Dean & Grayson Spittle 10 January 2021 301 m (988 ft)
I I200W, G64W Jack Davies 3 May 2014 574 m (1,883 ft)
N M1939W, 2x J800T, 2x K700W Craig Packard 20 February 2011 3,173 m (10,410 ft)
O N2000W, 4x K700W Craig Packard 5 February 2012 3,958 m (12,986 ft)

Currently highest altitude record within New Zealand was set by Martin Aspell and Joel Schiff, of 10,275 m (33,711 ft), on 20 February 2011, with a N1000W motor.[5] The previous highest record was set by Phil Vukovich, of 8,378 m (27,487 ft), on 6 September 2008.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "Taupiri to Nasa: We have liftoff". The New Zealand Herald. 4 February 2002. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  2. ^ "Getting the blast-off perfect it is rocket science". Waikato Times. 4 February 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  3. ^ Ball, James (30 April 2025). "Kiwi-built amateur rocket reaches space: 'Pretty amazing'". Archived from the original on 15 May 2025. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  4. ^ "NZ Rocketry Association". Archived from the original on 15 August 2025. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  5. ^ "NZ Rocketry Association – Records". www.nzrocketry.org.nz. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Rocket man soars – New Zealand News". NZ Herald. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
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