Southlander Robin McNeill MNZM has been awarded the inaugural Prime Minister’s Space Prize for Professional Excellence at a ceremony held in Parliament House today (17 Dec).

The award, which includes $100,000, is one of two recently established by the Government to recognise people working in New Zealand's space and advanced aviation sectors and those inspiring young people

Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds congratulated McNeill on his award and said it was not only a big moment for the SpaceOps New Zealand founder and chief executive but also huge for both Southland and the space industry in the province.

"It highlights how passion, innovation, and a future vision can achieve great things anywhere in New Zealand," Simmonds said.

“I congratulate Robin on this wonderful accolade."

"His passion and enthusiasm, and his commitment over many years, has undoubtedly had a huge impact on the space sector in this province and around the country."

SpaceOps New Zealand founder and chief executive Robin McNeill MNZM, of Invercargill, and Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds, at the presentation of the inaugural Prime Minister’s Space Prize for Professional Excellence, at Parliament on Tuesday night. Photo: Supplied

“Robin has quietly gone about achieving some amazing developments for New Zealand’s space industry, at the same time sharing his knowledge and skills with students and those interested in space across the South, and across the country."

“He has played a critical role in deepening New Zealand’s space relationship with the European Space Agency."

"This relationship has also included scholarships and other benefits to Southland students, one of which was the Kepler Space Camp for 70 local students."

SpaceOps New Zealand 's collaboration with Great South’s “Youth Futures” programme has seen a doubling of Invercargill Year 13 physics students.

McNeill has also designed and built ground stations in Antarctica, Tokelau and Southland.

“With Sir Peter Beck, of Rocket Lab, originally from Southland and now Robyn McNeill blazing a 'space trail' for Southland, it’s easy to understand McNeill’s [acceptance speech] comments, where he said that within overseas space circles Invercargill is better known than Wellington,” Simmonds said.

The Prime Minister’s Space Prize for Student Endeavour were also announced today and jointly shared by Cairo Akehurst, a Year 12 student at Christchurch’s Cashmere High School and Tianyi Mathur, a Year 13 at Wellington’s Scots College.

Akehurst's research project involved improving the accuracy of satellite data to track methane emissions through a unique innovative approach, while Mathur’s project focused on how cells communicate with each other to create organised patterns.