In October 2023, Carterton proudly hosted its first Space Week, joining the worldwide celebration of science, technology, and innovation. Over the course of seven days, more than a dozen events engaged hundreds of participants across the community—families, schools, businesses, and visitors. Activities ranged from creative competitions and storytelling to hands-on science with water rocket launches and solar observing, as well as public stargazing at Star Safari Observatory and immersive planetarium shows at the Carterton Events Centre.
Beyond inspiring curiosity and delight, Carterton Space Week demonstrated the region’s potential to become a hub for astro-tourism and science engagement. With strong collaboration between local businesses, educators, and astronomy organisations, the event provided clear evidence of how investment in space-themed initiatives can generate educational outcomes, community participation, and future economic opportunities.
This first edition proved that Carterton Space Week was the beginning of a scalable, impactful programme that will continue to grow, drawing visitors to Wairarapa and empowering the next generation through science.
Carterton Space Week is held each year to celebrate World Space Week, the largest international space event on Earth. Taking place annually from 4–10 October, World Space Week commemorates the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, on 4 October 1957, and the signing of the United Nations Outer Space Treaty on 10 October 1967.
Each year, the World Space Week Association announces a global theme, inspiring countries around the world to explore a different aspect of space science, technology and exploration. Carterton Space Week embraces this international theme while showcasing local speakers, organisations, businesses and experiences, creating a uniquely Wairarapa celebration of humanity’s journey into space.
World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition.
