Our regulatory regime
New Zealand offers a clear, responsive, and internationally respected regulatory framework for space and high-altitude activities. Whether you're launching a satellite, operating a suborbital vehicle, or conducting research with high-altitude balloons, our licensing and permitting processes are designed to support innovation while ensuring safety, sustainability, and compliance with international obligations.
On this page
We work closely with industry, researchers, and international partners to enable responsible access to space from New Zealand.
We administer the following licences, permits and authorisations for space activity from New Zealand under the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017:
- Payload permit
- Launch licence
- Facility licence
- High-altitude vehicle licence
- Ground-based space infrastructure authorisation
Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017(external link) — New Zealand Legislation
The Regulations
The Outer Space and High-altitude Activities (Licences and Permits) Regulations 2017 (the Regulations) set out the requirements for various licences and permits.
Outer Space and High-altitude Activities (Licences and Permits) Regulations 2017(external link) — New Zealand Legislation
The regulations identify the detailed information required of all applicants, as well as the specific information that is required for each licence or permit type.
There is another set of regulations that clarifies which vehicles are considered HAVs. This is called the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities (Definition of High-altitude Vehicle) Regulations 2017.
Other requirements
Besides complying with the Regulations, applicants may need to comply with other relevant requirements. For reference, resources about other potentially relevant requirements to the Outer Space High-altitude Activities Act include:
Civil Aviation Act 199(external link)0 — New Zealand Legislation
Managing health and safety(external link) — WorkSafe.govt.nz
Hazardous substances(external link) — WorkSafe.govt.nz
Environmental impacts of space vehicle launches(external link) — Te Mana Rauhī Taiao | Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
Operational satellite policy(external link) — Radio Spectrum Management (RSM)
National interest
Under the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017, the Minister for Space may decline a payload permit if the proposed activity is not considered to be in New Zealand’s national interest. This includes assessing potential risks to national security, public safety, international relations, and environmental sustainability. The Minister has broad discretion and may consider economic benefits, risk mitigation strategies, and alignment with New Zealand’s values and international obligations. Payloads that support nuclear weapons, cause harm to other space systems, or breach government policy will not be permitted.
In this section I tēnei wāhanga
National interest
The Act gives the Minister broad discretion to assess national interest for permit and licence applications on a case-by-case basis. This flexible approach allows New Zealand to respond to evolving global risks and priorities.
Our Act
The Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017 (OSHAA) is New Zealand’s primary legislation governing space launches, launch facilities, high-altitude vehicles (HAVs), Ground-based Space Infrastructure (GBSI) and payloads.
Technical 3 year review
The scheduled 3-year review of the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017 (OSHAA) was completed and tabled in Parliament in May 2022.