Mr. Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson is the Deputy Head of the New Zealand Space Agency within the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment. The Space Agency was established in 2016 and is the front door for space activity in New Zealand – the lead government agency for space policy, regulation, strategic sector development, and outreach.

During this time Johnson has overseen policy development to support the more than 60 orbital launches from New Zealand. The range of missions have covered everything from very small satellites where trackability has been important to traversing cislunar space, to innovative mission types involving close satellite approaches. 

Johnson has led on international partnerships with Germany’s DLR, NASA, and the Australasian Space Innovation Institute – supporting cutting-edge New Zealand companies and researchers to make connections with their international counterparts. 

Andrew is an economist and policy professional by background with over 20 years’ experience in the public and private sectors in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. 

He has policy experience in climate policy, health, budget policy, fiscal strategy, and innovation and productivity. His UK experience includes work in the private sector with the manufacturing sector and with international clients looking to decarbonise. 

Johnson holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration (Hons) in Economics and Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. He has also completed a certification in Climate and Renewable Energy Finance from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.