Self-taught rocket scientist Sir Peter Beck had humble beginnings as a Fisher & Paykel Appliances apprentice. 

Since 2006, he’s been chief executive of Rocket Lab – which has been pivotal in growing New Zealand’s $1.69 billion space industry.  

Employing 1,800 staff, Beck’s Rocket Lab is second only to Elon Musk’s Space X as the most prolific commercial launch provider globally.  

It has worked with Nasa on multiple missions and launched the first rocket in the Southern Hemisphere to reach space in 2009. 

Rocket Lab CEO Sir Peter Beck told Tim Beveridge “I was sitting on a place at the time, halfway across the United States. When I received the email, it was unexpected – I'm tremendously humbled.” 

Beck said “For all the engineers in the space industry and entrepreneurs of New Zealand – there’s aways a big team and lots of people help. It’s a recognition of those people.” 

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