Regulations

Policy for establishing regulations amending the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities (Licences and Permits) Regulations 2017 has been agreed by Cabinet. This amendment provides for a new schedule which applies to ground-based space infrastructure (GBSI) and applies relevant existing schedules to GBSI.

The regulations will set out more detailed requirements on the application process for a GBSI authorisation.

Regulations will be published prior to 29 July 2026, at which point the application portal will open. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible after the regulations are made to ensure you receive authorisation before transitional authorisations expire on 29 July 2026. Further information will be provided once the regulations have been made including a link to the application page.

What operators will need to provide

All ground-based space infrastructure (GBSI) operators will be required to submit a formal authorisation application. The requirements relating to the making of applications in sections 5, 6 and 14 of the Outer Space and High-altitude (Licences and Permits) Regulations 2017 will apply to applications for GBSI authorisation.

Outer Space and High-altitude Activities (Licences and Permits) Regulations 2017(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

The identity and ownership information required by schedule 2 of the regulations for all licence or permit applications under the Act will also apply to GBSI authorisations (Schedule 2). This requires operators to provide:

• In the case of an individual, their full name, contact details and nationality.
• In the case of a body corporate, their name, contact details, legal form and office address of the applicant as well as the country in which they are incorporated (if not in New Zealand).
• If the application is made by an entity other than a body corporate, then the name, contact details, legal form and the applicants registered office address or principal place of business.

There will be a new GBSI specific schedule that sets out the other information that will be required.

Schedule 2 - Outer Space and High-altitude (Licences and Permits) Regulations 2017(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

Ground-based space infrastructure specific information

The exact requirements will depend on the drafting of the regulations at the time they are made. But in broad terms the following information will be required.

• A description of the Ground-based space infrastructure (GBSI), including:
  • Its physical location
  • The type of technology used (such as, radio, optical)
  • The equipment being used
• A description of the activities the GBSI will carry out.

The information required as part of the description of the activities the GBSI will carry out will depend on the type of operation.

For example:

• Operating for individual purposes: This applies to a business that operates a ground station solely for its own use, not to provide services to customers. The operator must describe the regulated activity or activities being undertaken, the space objects the GBSI interacts with, and the functions those space objects perform, such as remote sensing.
• Research collaborations: Operators must include in the description partner identity information’ (in other words the identity of the researchers involved in the collaboration), the purpose of the research collaboration and the nature of the regulated activity.
• Provision of commercial ground station services: Operators must include in the description ‘partner identity information’ (for example a customer) and the regulated activities that are being carried out on behalf of each partner.

The ‘partner identity information’ that will be required is:

• Individual: name, nationality and the country in which they are based
• Body corporate: name, contact details, legal form, registered office address, unique identification number and the place of its incorporation.
• Entity that is neither an individual or a body corporate: name, contact details, legal form, address of registered office or principal place of business.

Guidance will be published to assist operators in understanding their due diligence and protective security obligations.

Ongoing reporting requirements

Section 49D of the Act requires operators to submit an annual report as soon as reasonably practicable after each 12-month anniversary of the grant of an authorisation confirming:

• Their protective security arrangements continue to meet the requirements of the Act.
• Either that they have partner due diligence arrangements that meet the requirements of the Act or that they do not propose to carry out regulated activities on behalf of another person.
• All previously submitted information is still up to date or to the extent it is not, providing an update of that information.

Any additional reporting requirements will be imposed through licence conditions.

You can read the policy underpinning the new regulations in the Cabinet paper.