Students rally calling for Rocket Lab ties to be cut.

Photo: students protesting carrying a ‘Boycott Israel’ sign. Photo source: Isla Melton

About 20 students gathered in the Undercroft on Thursday September 25, for a protest organised by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) Canterbury, calling on the University to cut ties with Rocket Lab.

The rally featured chants like ‘UC UC cut ties, stop funding genocide,’ speeches and a call for transparency over the university’s partnerships with aerospace and defense companies.

The students said Rocket Lab launches geospatial intelligence and spy satellites used by the Israeli Defense Forces and other military clients, and that UC’s collaboration contributes to these operations.

The company also sponsors the UC Rocketry postgraduate research group and provides funding for Aerospace Engineering final-year projects.

“As students, there's a unique opportunity here to leverage our influence on a prominent institution like UC, whose policy can actually make a meaningful difference in stopping the genocide in Palestine,” said Riley Neupauer, a UC student and member of Peace Action Ōtautahi.

Photo: students gathered in the undercroft on Thursday the 25th of September. Photo source: Isla Melton

“The cost of doing business is never a valid excuse for turning a blind eye to abuse, especially when on the other side of the supply chain there are human beings enduring unimaginable suffering every day.”

Staff have also expressed support for the students’ activism.

Donald Matheson, a UC staff member, said: “All strength to your mahi. I'm so proud to be at a university where we can have a student justice for Palestine group that is standing strong, despite the oppression from the university itself.”

Photo: Donald Matheson speaking to the crowd. Photo source: Isla Melton

The protest highlighted concerns that much of the aerospace industry revolves around military systems and weaponry. “Students with a genuine interest in astronomy, physics, and the exploration of space deserve better than being funneled into the military industrial complex,” Neupauer said.

In response, a University of Canterbury spokesperson defended the institution’s partnerships, saying “industry partnerships are essential to connect students with opportunities that create employment, advance knowledge, and ensure New Zealand contributes to global conversations and solutions.”

The university noted that students are not compelled to work with any one organisation.

“Gaining work experience is a core requirement for all engineering graduates, and students can choose the organisations they work with,” the spokesperson said.

They added that all research and partnerships are subject to oversight through UC’s established policies and New Zealand law, with academic staff and students free to decide who they collaborate with.

UC declined to provide details on the scale of its financial relationship with Rocket Lab, citing commercial sensitivity and confidentiality.

Photo: The group walking from the undercroft to the engineering building. Photo source: Isla Melton

“UC does not disclose financial details of individual contracts,” the spokesperson said, noting that responses to Official Information Act requests are handled in line with the law.

The rally comes amid wider debate about New Zealand’s stance on Palestine.

A recent One News article reported former diplomat Colin Keating warning New Zealand’s decision not to recognise a Palestinian state could damage the country’s international reputation.

Keating said “I think New Zealand’s reputation will take a hit as a result of this … it will have a real impact on our reputation.”

While Thursday’s protest was smaller than previous events, organisers said it demonstrated growing support among the student body.

They plan to continue their campaign, including attending the upcoming National Aerospace Summit to protest what they describe as the militarisation of space.

“As long as Palestine remains under Israeli occupation, and even a single university dollar is used to support apartheid, we will rally on campus and in the streets to protest this travesty,” Neupauer said.

*UC engineering, UC Aerospace and Rocket Lab were contacted for comment, but did not respond in time.