The Advanced Aviation Reform (AAR) project

The Advanced Aviation Reform (AAR) project is part of a suite of actions that were taken to Cabinet by the Minister for Space Hon. Judith Collins KC in 2024 that focuses on growing and enhancing the space and advanced aviation sector.

By the end of 2025, the Government’s goal is for New Zealand to have a world class regulatory environment that allows rapid iteration and testing of advanced aviation vehicles and technology, while maintaining levels of aviation safety.

The following actions were agreed to by Cabinet. The latest updates are included under each action.

Develop a new Civil Aviation Rule for experimental or developmental aircraft and systems operations to reduce the need for time consuming amendments or re-certification and relieve some pressure on current certification process.

The CAA has been leading work to develop a new Civil Aviation Rule, Part 107 – Research and Development Organisations Certification, to allow for rapid testing and iteration. This will come into force from 31 December 2025 following public consultation.

Part 107 will allow participants to test their developments without needing to come back to the CAA to amend their expositions. The new rule focusses on research and development, rather than existing rules which focus on deployment of an aircraft or conducting a series of tests on an aircraft in direct preparation for its deployment. The new Rule will facilitate an environment where participants can conduct R&D activity at pace and with the freedom and assurance needed to explore new pathways when they arise.

Consultation on the new rule is open from Monday 23 June until Sunday 27 July. For more information and to make a submission, visit NPRMs open for submission.

Engage with the sector to establish permanent restricted airspace areas for exclusive use by advanced aviation companies.

In progress.

Refresh Civil Aviation Rules to move lower risk operations from Part 102 to Part 101.

As part of the AAR project, CAA are considering how we can refresh our Part 101 rules to remove the need for certification for some types of operation. This includes considering the risk thresholds we’re willing to accept for Part 101 to encompass more of the things that have previously required certification. This will come into force from 31 December 2025 following public consultation.

Consultation on the new rule is open from Monday 23 June until Sunday 27 July. For more information and to make a submission, visit NPRMs open for submission.

Explore options for the provision of regulatory advice outside of the regulator.

In progress.

Progress options for a cost-recovered advisory service for applicants with complex operations.

In progress.

Co-design an emerging technology programme that clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of different parties in the system and identifies capabilities and capacities needed, and the ways of working.

In progress.

For more information on the New Zealand Space and Advanced Aviation Strategy 2024 to 2030, visit the MBIE website:

New Zealand Space and Advanced Aviation Strategy(external link)