The New Zealand Government says stable democracy in Australasia could give the region an advantage in its bid to host a $2.5 billion radio telescope.
The Square Kilometre Array will be a configuration of thousands of satellite dishes, wired together to explore distant parts of the universe.
Australia and New Zealand submitted their final proposal last week, as a consortium of nine African countries.
Economic Development Minister David Carter says the Australasian bid may have an advantage because the area has a history of stable, democratic governance.
The winning bid will be announced in February.
