The Government is introducing a light-touch regulatory approach to advanced aviation in a bid to give businesses certainty and boost productivity. 

Speaking at the Aerospace New Zealand Summit 2024 in Christchurch on 24 September 2024, Space Minister, Judith Collins said novel aviation technologies, such as drones and uncrewed aircraft, are set to revolutionise aviation, as well as have global impacts on communications, emergency management and advancing science.

“We have committed to having a world-class regulatory environment by the end of 2025. To do that we’re introducing a light-touch regulatory approach that will significantly free up innovators to test their technology and ideas,” said Ms Collins.

“We’re also removing the requirement for them to have to go through the whole approvals process each time they tweak their technology.”

“New Zealand is an attractive place for aerospace-related business. With a world-class regulatory environment, we’ll be able to make more of our natural advantages of clear skies and geography and our talented people to position New Zealand as a destination of choice for aerospace activity.”

In tandem with this announcement, Transport Minister, Simeon Brown said that the Government was also establishing restricted airspaces where tests could be carried out – known as a sandbox. 

“This provides innovators with much improved flexibility, while maintaining safety and separation from other aviation users,” he said. “These changes are just some of the steps the Government is taking to support the growth and development of the wider aerospace sector.”

At the same time, Ms Collins also released the New Zealand Space and Advanced Aviation Strategy, which outlines the ambitions for these interlinked sectors, and the actions to realise that ambition. Its stated mission is to double the size of New Zealand’s space and advanced aviation sectors by 2030. To support this aim, the Strategy sets the following five objectives:

• Develop our sovereign space capabilities with a national space mission
• Establish a world-leading regulatory environment for space and advanced aviation
• Unlock trade and investment
• Build an aerospace-capable workforce
• Accelerate aerospace innovation

To progress New Zealand’s broader space interests, these objectives are in turn supported by the following principles which will inform New Zealand’s international space engagements and the development of future space policies:

• Protecting and advancing New Zealand’s national security interests
• Regulating to ensure space activities are safe and secure
• Promoting the responsible uses of space internationally
• Promoting sustainable space and Earth environments

“The Government is focused on creating the right environment to unlock the significant economic growth offered by the high-tech, high-productivity aerospace sector,” Ms Collins says.

This announcement is no doubt welcome news for the aerospace and advanced aviation sector in New Zealand, which has already established itself as a highly regarded global destination for innovation, talent, and capability in the sector, and is poised for further growth and expansion. 

If you are in, or interested in, the aerospace or aerospace adjacent sector, please get in touch with our experts listed with this article or your usual Dentons relationship manager.

This article was written by Sarah Gibbs, Senior Associate in our Corporate and Commercial team.