We latched onto Burt Munro, what about Peter Beck?
“We [Rocket Lab] are the third most frequently launched rocket in the world. Elon launches the most, then it’s China, then it is us.”
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Southland’s most valuable exports could well be its people.
There are Southlanders scattered around the globe doing wonderful things and headlining it all is Peter Beck.
Peter Beck is a name you’ve most likely heard of, and you might be aware of the industry he works in.
But I wonder if we - as a region - fully grasp the former James Hargest College pupil’s standing on the global stage.
We’ve embraced Burt Munro when selling Invercargill as a place of unique innovators, should we be further embracing our connection to Peter Beck?
Last week at Government House in Wellington Peter Beck was officially knighted for his services to the aerospace industry, business, and education. He is now Sir Peter Beck.
That was a moment that prompted me to spend some time delving a bit deeper into Beck’s story and his standing on the global stage.
Another Southlander, Jamie Mackay - who will probably lay claim to being Riversdale’s most notable export - was part of the same investiture ceremony in Wellington last week.
Mackay was awarded an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to broadcasting and the rural community.
He spotted an opportunity at the event to grab Beck for a quick interview for his radio show The Country.
It was an answer as part of that interview that hammered home to me how Invercargill and Southland should probably embrace the link to Beck further.
How that is done, I’m not sure.
Mackay suggested Beck was New Zealand’s Elon Musk, before Beck responded saying he would prefer to be known as New Zealand’s Peter Beck. It appears there is no love lost between Beck and Musk.
Beck then said: “We [Rocket Lab] are the third most frequently launched rocket in the world. Elon launches the most, then it’s China, then it is us.”
It’s that sentence that puts it all into perspective.
Beck grew up in Invercargill. His late father Russell Beck was a museum and art gallery director and artist.
Beck Jr’s interest in rockets was notable as a teenager at James Hargest College when he launched water rockets.
He didn’t follow the traditional route for those who leave Invercargill and head north to Dunedin after school.
He didn’t attend university in Dunedin. Instead, Beck became a tool-and-die-maker apprentice and Fisher & Paykel in Mosgiel.
It was there that he continued to experiment with rockets creating a rocket bike, rocket-attached scooter, and jet pack.
Beck later moved into the product design department and bought a cruise missile engine from the United States.
He eventually founded Rocket Lab in 2006 with Sir Stephen Tindall one of the early investors.
Three years later, in November 2009, Rocket Lab successfully launched the multi-stage rocket Atea-1 becoming the first private company in the Southern Hemisphere to reach space.
Rocket Lab now has about 1800 employees globally, with about 750 New Zealand employees.
It is now closing in on 50 successful rocket launches and more than 160 satellites to orbit.
The satellites have enabled scientific and climate monitoring for NASA, national security for international governments, university research, and commercial innovations.
The electron rocket first launched in 2017 achieved several world firsts, including materials used and allows frequent launches and reduced cost.
Beck has been pivotal in growing New Zealand’s $1.9 billion space industry.
Southland is very much part of that industry through Space Ops.
Space Ops is owned by Southland regional development agency Great South.
Southland has had an active role in the space community since 2004 when the Awarua Satellite Ground Station was established in conjunction with the European and French Space Agencies.
Absolutely wonderful Peter the dedication, commitment, and most of all your ability to successfully "launch" such an incredible industry. Southland should be understandable proud of the success of Rocket Lab through your leadership.
Great family
Russell was a very innovative thinker he saw the benefit of a pyramid in the south unfortunately the council was happy to move him and the tuatara man on they both gave southland so much. Russell with his art public art works gone now.
Growing up in a family with vision the sons were forward thinkers and great creators
Well done Peter with your visions for the future and your great creative skills. Have gone far , right into space.
Southland doesn't give much recognition to the achievers they are too worried about splashes of colour at the round abouts and spending absurd amounts on a museum when we had a good one but couldn't look after it properly.