Whanganui group backs legal challenge over Gaza-linked spy satellites, as Whanganui-based lawyer joins case

The Whanganui Palestinian Solidarity Group (WPSG) is throwing its support behind a High Court legal challenge filed this week against the Government's approval of spy satellite launches linked to Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Judicial review proceedings have been filed in the Wellington High Court against former Space Minister Judith Collins and current Space Minister Chris Penk, challenging their approval of BlackSky spy satellite launches from Rocket Lab's Māhia site, on the grounds the satellites risk supplying Israel's military with targeting data for use in Gaza.

WPSG says the case has particular resonance in Whanganui, with local lawyer Ruby Haazen, who lives in the district, part of the legal team acting for the three plaintiffs. The group says the case matters because the war in Gaza is ongoing, and it builds on Whanganui's own record of speaking out on the issue. In May 2024, Whanganui District Council became the first council in the country to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, after WPSG delivered a petition signed by more than 2,000 local people to a full council meeting.

WPSG spokesperson Sophi Reinholt says, "We strongly support the filing of these legal proceedings, which serve to ensure that Aotearoa New Zealand upholds our legal obligations under international law. Our country has a proud record of standing on the right side of history. We hope to continue that legacy. The horrors in Gaza have not ended with the so-called "ceasefire". Over 1,250 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire was put in place, with no meaningful improvement in the flow of critical goods into the closed-off territory. We take great pride in a Whanganui-based lawyer being part of this case to ensure an end to New Zealand's complicity in facilitating genocide."

About the case

The claim, brought under the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017, argues Collins and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment knew, when they approved BlackSky's satellite launches in late 2023, that its satellites had previously been used by Israel — and failed to consider New Zealand's obligations under the Genocide Convention and broader international human rights law. Rocket Lab, the New Zealand-founded space company, is BlackSky's primary launch provider and launched a BlackSky satellite from Māhia in March. In April, new Space Minister Chris Penk approved a further 26 BlackSky launches, which the plaintiffs are seeking to stop. The three plaintiffs are Yasser Abdulaal, a Christchurch electrical engineer whose extended family has suffered repeated Israeli air strikes in Gaza; Maher Nazzal, an Auckland IT professional; and Dr Timoti Te Moke (Ngāti Rangitihi, Tapuika and Tonga), a doctor at Middlemore and Auckland Hospitals.
The case is backed by the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA).

Haazen says: "The UN's Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel has found Israel to have committed genocide in Gaza. Many scholars, such as Omar Bartov, and international organisations such as Amnesty International and the International Association of Genocide Scholars, have also found Israel has committed genocide in Gaza." "In January 2024, the International Court of Justice found it plausible that Israel's military operations in Gaza risked irreparable harm to Palestinians' rights under the Genocide Convention, putting all states on notice of their duty to act to prevent genocide. New Zealand is obliged to live up to that duty."

Whanganui District Council calls for Gaza ceasefire

Published on 07 May 2024

Whanganui District Council’s elected representatives have called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and condemned all acts of violence and terror against civilians on all sides.

The decision came after the Whanganui Palestinian Solidarity Group peacefully marched to the meeting and presented councillors with a petition with more than 2,000 signatures. After the petition was presented, Councillor Josh Chandulal-Mackay moved a notice of motion calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, seconded by Councillor Charlotte Melser.

Councillor Josh Chandulal-Mackay said he put the request forward because he believed Whanganui District Council should follow in the footsteps of local authorities nationally and around the world calling for a ceasefire.

He said the situation in Gaza was a humanitarian crisis.

“In an area around half the size of Auckland you’ve got two million civilians – men, women and children – in dire conditions with very little access to hospitals, a lack of sanitary facilities, and limited food and resources, facing a daily bombardment by Israel.”

In the last seven months more than 34,000 people have been killed, including more than 9,000 women and 13,000 children. Over 71,000 have been injured, many with life-changing mutilations. One million people are facing “catastrophic” levels of food insecurity and more than 60 percent of residential buildings, and 80 percent of school buildings, have been destroyed.

Cr Chandulal-Mackay said that the call for the cessation of violence against all civilians was about acknowledging that both Palestinians and Israelis in Whanganui and around the world have been affected by the violence caused by this war.

“Violence against civilians in all its forms is egregious, including the suffering experienced by hostages held on both sides of the conflict.” 

Cr Chandulal-Mackay said it was important to speak up.

“I know people sometimes see an awful situation out there in the world and feel powerless to help – but speaking up to apply pressure does make a difference. While a ceasefire has not yet been achieved, you can already see the impact of countries within the global community adding their voices to the call for a ceasefire.

“One thing we know for sure is that silence does not result in progress.”

In further motions, the council condemned all acts of violence and terror against civilians and called for a release of all hostages on all sides in the Palestinian and Israeli conflict.

Mayor Andrew Tripe spoke in support of the decision, saying the situation in Gaza was horrific.

“Citizens in this area are experiencing unimaginable suffering and the impact of this conflict will have generational consequences.

“A call for peace and unity in Gaza is something I am sure we can all agree on.”

As of July 2025, we have received over 50 local businesses’ and hundreds upon hundreds of individual signatures in support of our open letter calling on our MP to support Chlöe Swarbrick’s “Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill”.

Are you a local Whanganui resident? You can add your name here.

7 vehicles of Whanganui people made their way from Whanganui to Tāmaki Makaurau for the Aotearoa For Palestine “March for Humanity” in September 2025. We were part of the 20,000+ crowd calling on our government to fulfil it’s international legal obligations as signatories to the Genocide Convention and impose Sanctions on Israel.

SANCTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.

We have had public licensed screenings of “Israelism”, “Where Olive Trees Weep”, “Walled Off” “The Doctor’s Wife” and “The Wanted 18.” We are aiming to have our first Palestinian Film Festival in 2026.

All entry to films are free entry or a koha donation to ensure accessibility, with all koha received being donated to trusted local or international organisations that help Palestinians.

So far, the koha donations from our WPSG events have been directly donated (in their entirety) to the following organisations:
UNRWA
The PCRF
Doctors Without Borders (Gaza Appeal)
MAP - Medical Aid for Palestinians
Heart Surgery for Palestinian Children (NZ)

We have hosted family-friendly kite making and kite-flying events, candlelit vigils, art exhibitions, film screenings, market stalls with Palestinian solidarity merchandise and petition signing opportunities, and hold weekly peaceful rallies. Our meetings are accessible to all with easy wheelchair access.