The MP for Dunedin has been appointed Ministry for Space Opposition spokeswoman in yesterday’s caucus reshuffle of the Labour Party.
Ms Brooking, who also got the role of Ministry for the Environment Opposition spokeswoman, said she was looking forward to the challenge.
"I’ve worked in the environment sector for much of my life, so I’m really humbled to get the role.
"But space is a new one to me, so I’m looking forward to learning all about it."
Last week, MP Judith Collins became the country’s first-ever minister for space.
At the nexus of science, business and technology, it was an "exciting" industry, she told TVNZ.
It was also a growing one, but the government needed to ensure legislation and regulation kept up to date to support "this brilliant, high-end industry".
Last year, New Zealand launched the fourth most rockets in the world, behind the United States, China and Russia.
Ms Brooking said there was likely to be as "many environmental challenges" when looking to space as there were on the ground.
"But it’s an exciting industry, and it’s good that New Zealand is part of the conversation."
As environment spokeswoman, Ms Brooking urged the new government to "calm down" and not roll back the previous Labour government’s reforms of the Resource Management Act (RMA).
The Spatial Planning Act and Natural and Built Environment Act replaced the RMA earlier this year, but the new government has said it would scrap these reforms as part of its 100-day plan.
"The reforms addressed many of the problems of the RMA, such as the fact it was expensive, and not achieving environmental outcomes.
"It was a massive amount of work [to reform the RMA] ... I hope the new government is amenable to good logical discussions about our environmental challenges."
Meanwhile, MP for Taieri Ingrid Leary has the portfolios of Opposition spokeswoman for mental health and senior citizen issues.
She asked for these two portfolios.
They were issues that fitted well with her role as Taieri MP, and she wanted to see a "cross-party discussion" on mental health.
"But at the same time, I want to hold the new government to account.
"I see addiction as a mental health issue and will be advocating for appropriate health responses — amongst other responses — to make communities meth free."
Labour’s Opposition portfolios
Chris Hipkins: Leader of the Opposition, spokesman for Ministerial Services, and National Security and Intelligence
Carmel Sepuloni: Deputy leader of the Opposition, spokeswoman for Social Development, Pacific Peoples, Auckland Issues and Child Poverty Reduction
Grant Robertson: Spokesman for Finance, and Racing
Dr Megan Woods: Spokeswoman for Climate Change, Energy, Resources and Associate Finance
Willie Jackson: Spokesman for Māori Development, Broadcasting and Media, Employment, Associate Housing and Associate Workplace Relations and Safety
Dr Ayesha Verrall: Spokeswoman for Health, Public Service, and Wellington Issues
Kieran McAnulty: Shadow Leader of the House, spokesman for Housing, Local Government and Regional Development
Willow-Jean Prime: Spokeswoman for Children, Youth, and Associate Education (Māori)
Ginny Andersen: Spokeswoman for Police, Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Social Investment and Associate Social Development
Jan Tinetti: Spokeswoman for Education, and Women
Barbara Edmonds: Spokeswoman for Economic Development, Infrastructure and Associate Finance
Peeni Henare: Spokesman for Defence, Sport and Recreation and Associate Health
Priyanca Radhakrishnan: Spokeswoman for Conservation, Disability Issues, NZSIS and GCSB
Jo Luxton: Spokeswoman for Agriculture, Biosecurity and Rural Communities
Dr Duncan Webb: Deputy shadow Leader of the House, spokesman for Justice, Regulation and Earthquake Commission, Christchurch Issues
Dr Deborah Russell: Spokeswoman for Revenue, Science, Innovation and Technology and Associate Education (Tertiary)
Rachel Brooking: Spokeswoman for Environment, Food Safety and Space
Damien O’Connor: Spokesman for Trade, Associate Foreign Affairs and Associate Transport
David Parker: Spokesman for Foreign Affairs, shadow attorney-general and Electoral Reform
Kelvin Davis: Spokesman for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti and Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
Tangi Utikere: Chief whip, spokesman for Transport, Oceans and Fisheries and Associate Education (Pacific)
Camilla Belich: Junior Whip, spokeswoman for Workplace Relations and Safety and Emergency Management
Arena Williams: Assistant whip, spokeswoman for Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Building and Construction and State Owned Enterprises
Phil Twyford: Spokesman for Immigration, Disarmament and Arms Control and Associate Foreign Affairs
Greg O’Connor: Assistant Speaker, spokesman for Courts and Veterans
Jenny Salesa: Spokeswoman for Ethnic Communities and Customs
Rachel Boyack: Spokeswoman for ACC, Arts, Culture and Heritage and Animal Welfare
Adrian Rurawhe: Spokesman for Whānau Ora and Associate Māori Development
Rino Tirikatene: Spokesman for Corrections and Land Information
Helen White: Spokeswoman for Community and Voluntary Sector, Small Business and Manufacturing and Associate Justice
Ingrid Leary: Spokeswoman for Seniors and Mental Health
Lemauga Lydia Sosene: Spokeswoman for Internal Affairs, Associate Pacific Peoples and Associate Social Development and Employment
Reuben Davidson: Spokesman for Statistics, Digital Economy and Communications and Associate Broadcasting and Media
Cushla Tangaere-Manuel: Spokeswoman for Tourism and Hospitality, Forestry and Cyclone Recovery
