The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is making changes on how we work to improve our performance as New Zealand’s safety and security regulator.
After a thorough international search, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Deputy Chief Executives to our Executive Leadership Team.
After serving two full terms with the Civil Aviation Authority’s Board, Jill Hatchwell’s term will end on 31 July 2025. Terry Murdoch, who joined as part of the new Board appointments in August 2024, has retired due to health reasons.
We’re pleased to publish the 2025 edition of New Zealand’s State Safety Programme (SSP).
The Reference Materials, jointly developed by 24 Asia-Pacific States and Administrations, will help reduce regulatory cost and risk to investments, support industry development and accelerate safe adoption.
It is just a couple of days till 5 April when the Civil Aviation Act 2023 (CA Act 2023) comes into effect.
The thrill of free flight is unparalleled—the wind, the lift, the pure freedom. But even the most experienced pilots know that every flight demands smart decision-making. Following a recent rise in hang gliding, paragliding, and speed wing incidents—including a recent speed wing fatality—the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is urging pilots to sharpen their situational awareness and decision-making before, during, and after each flight.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) will conduct a safety audit of New Zealand’s aviation system in July 2025. The audit looks at the government agencies responsible for setting and administering policy, rules regulations; as well as operators and participants within the aviation system responsible for complying with rules and regulations and upholding aviation safety.
In relation to our recent changes to CAA investigation practices we’ve published a brochure which outlines our approach to investigating aviation accidents, occurrences, and compliance with rules and legislation.
The Civil Aviation Authority has concluded its largest nationwide safety campaign, Work Together, Stay Apart (WTSA).
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is concerned about any reports of unsafe drone operations near Auckland Airport which have the potential to delay flights.
Following extensive consultation with our people, the Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed changes to its structure, systems, and practices.
The Civil Aviation Authority has announced increases to its levies, fees and charges, following a decision by Cabinet on 18 December 2024.
CAA conducts periodic research to measure public perceptions of aviation safety and security and the aviation sector views on our performance. The 2024 results are available below.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has drafted an Advisory Circular about cabin safety, and is seeking feedback from Deaf and disabled people, in addition to feedback from air operators and other aviation participants.
The Civil Aviation Authority is preparing for another season of increased complaints about new drone owners being unaware of the rules and causing problems for other people and aircraft. National data shows that reports about drone behaviour surge by 30 percent at the start of each new year.
Summer is here, which means it’s the season of barbeques, parties, and events. Aviation Security Officers want you to know which well-intended gifts and items won’t make it through the security screening, so you don’t turn up empty handed at your in-law’s house.
Four members of the Civil Aviation Authority’s safety education and certification teams won this year’s Royal Aeronautical Society’s special recognition award at the 38th annual symposium.
Statement from the Director of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Keith Manch about a Civil Aviation Authority change proposal which includes changes to our systems, practices and structure.
A 59-year-old Alexandra man has today been convicted and sentenced in the Dunedin District Court to 325 hours of community service for multiple charges relating to his illegal operation of a helicopter.
The prestigious Civil Aviation Authority Director’s Award for 2024 has been awarded to Brad MacLachlan for his commitment to maintaining and improving aviation safety.
The Civil Aviation Authority has released a proposal to increase aviation safety and security levies, fees, and charges, to re-establish a sustainable funding model, and is seeking submissions on the proposal from today until Tuesday 8 October 2024.
From Director of Aviation and Chief Executive of the Civil Aviation Authority, Keith Manch.
The New Zealand Aviation Security Service (AvSec) has joined forces with Diabetes New Zealand to produce guidance on what to expect at airport security for people living with diabetes.
Azis Global Investments Limited and Air Customs have today been sentenced to fines of $21,000 and $10,500, respectively, in the Auckland District Court. The sentencing follows guilty pleas from the Auckland-based freight forwarding companies on 4 March 2024, to charges filed by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Flights departing from domestic airports at Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin from 1 July, will now benefit from world-leading security standards, thanks to the new Computed Tomography (CT) X-ray scanning machines which Aviation Security Service has been installing over the past eight months.
On 7 May 2022, the tow-plane flown by Ronald Sanders crashed when, during the aerotow, the glider became out of position causing a tow upset. He died in hospital 12 days later. The safety investigation report, released today by the Civil Aviation Authority, identified several likely contributing factors.
A Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) prosecution has ended with the conviction of a pilot for operating an aircraft in a careless manner when he landed his microlight aircraft in foggy conditions with a passenger on board.
The New Southern Sky Stakeholders’ Showcase was held on Thursday, March 21 in Wellington, with heartfelt thanks to all participants. A special thank you to MetService for hosting the post-event reception.
The CAA recently launched its Reduced and Zero Emissions Project (RZEP) to support the introduction of Reduced and Zero Emission Aircraft (RZEA) into New Zealand’s Aviation system.
On 19 February the Emerging Technologies Unit (ETU) welcomed Ryan Coates (Director, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems), Jeannie Stewart-Smith (Manager and Senior Policy Advisor, RPAS Policy, Regulations and Outreach) from Transport Canada and Alan Chapman (Director RPAS Traffic Management) from NAV Canada.
The agenda for Thursday 21 March has been confirmed.
Warbirds Over Wanaka is fast approaching at Easter and we’re excited to announce that we’ll have a team present, thanks to the NZ Aviation Federation who are hosting us in their marquee.
A Civil Aviation Authority report, released today, found that a series of decisions by the pilot led to loss of control of the aircraft, causing it to crash on Mount Saint Cuthberts near Omarama aerodrome. The pilot didn’t survive.
As of 4 March 2024, national office staff from the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) and the Aviation Security Service (AvSec) have returned to their permanent workspace on level 15 and part of level 14 of the Asteron Centre in Wellington. This move follows two years of significant seismic upgrades undertaken and funded by the building owner.
The New Southern Sky Programme Stakeholders’ Showcase is only a few weeks away and we are delighted to share with you some of our fantastic speakers. Register today!
It is with great sadness that the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand acknowledges the tragic passing of Brendon Bourne, Flight Examiner and valued member of our Licensing & Standards team.
Only 4 weeks to go until the New Southern Sky Programme Stakeholders’ Showcase! Don’t hesitate to secure your spot.
Massey University School of Aviation invites all users of remotely piloted aircraft to participate in a study examining the prevalence of violence and aggression towards RPA users, and the nature of such events.
The Civil Aviation Authority has joined forces with aviation leaders to raise awareness of the need to increase safety at unattended aerodromes, as part of their Work Together, Stay Apart safety campaign.
We're improving our online services to give you the ability to apply for a new licence, or update an existing one online.
International travellers departing from Christchurch and Wellington Airports over summer may have noticed an easier security screening experience with new Computed Tomography (CT) scanning machines enabling laptops and liquids to be left in carry-on bags.
Join the New Southern Sky (NSS) Team for a day of celebration at the New Southern Sky Programme Stakeholders’ Showcase!
The CAA office will be closed from 4pm Friday 22 December 2023 until 8am Monday 08 January 2024.
Summer is here, which means it’s the season of barbeques, parties, and events, and our Aviation Security Officers want you to know which well-intended gifts and items won’t make it through the security screening, so you don’t turn up empty handed at your in-laws house.
The CAA’s contract for Aeronautical Information Services (AIS), provided by Aeropath, expires on 30 June 2025. A project is underway to establish a new contract for Aeronautical Information Management and the Director of Civil Aviation has approved a direct-source approach working with Aeropath for the provision of the full services.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of New Zealand is proud to have received Toitū carbonreduce certification.
The Civil Aviation Authority celebrates a milestone for emerging aviation technology this week, with a successful series of trial flights of a remotely piloted aircraft beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) into controlled airspace, following IFR routes – a first for New Zealand aviation.
The Civil Aviation Authority is urging pilots to self-assess and consult with their medical assessors regarding any conditions that could jeopardise flight safety, following a fatal accident on 25 October 2021, when a Baby Great Lakes Class 1 Microlight crashed on farmland near Omarama.
The Civil Aviation Authority’s Deputy Chairperson, Steve Haszard, has resigned from the Board effective from 6 October 2023.
