International obligations and space
New Zealand adheres to the main international agreements that promote a peaceful, sustainable, safe and secure space environment.
On this page
These agreements include the Outer Space Treaty, the Rescue Agreement, the Liability Convention and the Registration Convention:
- The Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (also known as the Outer Space Treaty), ratified by New Zealand in 1968;
- The Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space (also known as the Rescue Agreement), ratified by New Zealand in 1969;
- The Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects (also known as the Liability Convention), ratified by New Zealand in 1974;
- In 2018, New Zealand acceded to the Convention on the Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space (the Registration Convention), in time for the first launch of spacecraft from New Zealand.
New Zealand is also party to other international treaties that are relevant to space payloads, including treaties on disarmament, the environment and human rights. We reflect these international laws and governance arrangements in our domestic legislation and policies.
For further information about New Zealand’s international engagements on space are also available on the MBIE website.
Example - International obligations and payload permitting processes
It is a requirement of the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017 that the Minister may only grant a payload permit if satisfied that the operation of the payload/s under the permit is consistent with New Zealand’s international obligations.
In addition to the space-specific international obligations above, other international treaties that New Zealand is party to are considered as needed, as part of assessing payload permit applications. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is also consulted about every payload permit application to further ensure consistency with all of New Zealand’s international obligations.
Further information about international laws and space activities – including how our National Space Policy values and objectives are implemented internationally – is at National space policy.
Examples of relevant international obligations commonly considered for payload permitting decisions
|
Treaty |
Content |
Domestic implementation |
|---|---|---|
|
UN Outer Space Treaty |
Rules governing the exploration and use of outer space |
Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017 and associated regulations |
|
UN Registration Convention |
Registration of objects launched into orbit or outer space |
Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017 and associated regulations (OSHAA provides that regulations may be made for registration of space objects) |
|
Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) and Side arrangement to the TSA |
Provides for transfer and protection of sensitive US technology |
Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017 and associated regulations |
|
UN Charter |
Outer Space Treaty requires compliance with the UN Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force except in limited circumstances. |
- |
|
International Humanitarian Law (IHL) (Including the Geneva Convention, Convention on Cluster Munitions etc.) |
Provides rules applicable to armed conflict |
International Crimes and International Criminal Court Act 2000 Geneva Conventions Act 1958 Cluster Munitions Prohibition Act 2009 |
|
Partial Test Ban Treaty 1963 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty 1996* Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |
Nuclear disarmament/non-proliferation |
NZ Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament and Arms Control Act 1987 Radiation Safety Act 2016 |
|
Biological Weapons Convention |
Biological weapon prohibition |
NZ Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament and Arms Control Act 1987 |
|
Chemical Weapons Convention |
Chemical weapon prohibition |
Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1996 |
|
Convention on the prohibition of military or any other hostile use of environmental modification techniques |
Prohibits military or any other hostile use of environmental modification techniques having widespread, long-lasting or severe effects as the means of destruction, damage or injury, including in space |
- |
|
UNSC Resolutions |
Prohibit certain business with sanctioned countries |
United Nations Act 1946 and sanctions regulations |
|
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights |
Prohibits arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy |
New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 Human Rights Act 1993 Privacy Act 1993 |
*This treaty is yet to enter into force and therefore does not impose international obligations on New Zealand. However, inconsistency with the treaties would be considered under national interest (provided the application satisfies the mandatory tests in the OSHAA).