We're contracted to develop the Civil Aviation Rules by the Ministry of Transport for the Minister. Under this contract the Minister of Transport approves a programme of new rules and changes to existing rules each year. Any ordinary rule changes are subject to the Minister of Transport's agreement.
This page is updated monthly to provide progress reports on our current rule projects together with information on recent rule changes that have come into effect.
You can also find a list of current regulatory issues and how to raise your own issue with our regulatory system.
If you have any queries regarding a rule project, please contact us by emailing docket@caa.govt.nz.
| Rule project name and reference | Description and purpose of rule | Current status | Next milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Advanced Aviation Reform (AAR) |
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 late last year that focuses on growing and enhancing the space and advanced aviation sector. The Government’s goal is that by the end of 2025, New Zealand has a world class regulatory environment that allows rapid iteration and testing of advanced aviation vehicles and technology, while maintaining our levels of aviation safety. We’ve been leading two streams of the AAR actions, including the development of a new civil aviation rule to allow for rapid testing and iteration (also known as Part 107) and refreshing our Part 101 rules to remove the need for certification for some types of operation. |
The Minister signed the rules on 13 November 2025 |
Rules became effective on 22 December 2025. |
|
‘Quick Wins’ |
The purpose of this project is to remove a requirement that currently creates regulatory burden and will instead allow operators, especially regional airlines, to deploy new aircraft types enabling increased economic activity. This amendment will:
|
NPRM was released for consultation on 17 November and closed on 1 December 2025. The Minister signed this rule on 11 December 2025. |
The rule will come into force on 27 February 2026. |
|
‘Quick Wins’ |
The purpose of this change is to remove unnecessary requirements for flight examiners in specific Part 115 operations (balloon pilots), which are currently subject to four general exemptions. We have previously assessed that the existing exemptions are safe and appropriate and should be codified through a rule change. This change would provide clarity and certainty for both the CAA and the adventure aviation sector, and also reduce regulatory burden on both sides. |
NPRM was released for consultation on 19 December 2025. |
Consultation period closes on 9 February 2026. |
|
‘Quick Wins’ |
The purpose of this project is to remove several technical requirements and standards from within Civil Aviation Rules and create a framework to enable them to be transferred to Transport Instruments. This makes it easier to ensure technical requirements remain fit for purpose and up to date. It also makes specific technical changes to some areas, including enabling satellite communication systems which are subject to a number of exemptions. This change removes some unnecessary regulatory burden for both the sector and the CAA immediately, and prevents additional future burden arising from outdated requirements. |
NPRM is currently being drafted. |
Publish NPRM. |
|
‘Quick Wins’ |
We are proposing two changes to the Part 139 rule: EMAS provides a solution for runways where physical lengthening is not practical. The system is now in use at Wellington and Queenstown airports under an exemption. Updating the rule to include this would standardise and align the use of this technology. Changing the rule to allow the CAA to assess the safety impact, and be satisfied that the necessary elements have been addressed could have the following benefits:
|
Problem definition has been completed and signed off internally. Policy investigation work is now underway. |
Publish NPRM. |
If you wish to raise a regulatory issue for assessment that may progress to a rule change, please complete this form and email it to docket@caa.govt.nz:
Petition to raise a regulatory issue (24011-01) [DOC 86 KB]
For more information about issue assessment see The rule development process and Regulatory policy.
| Rule project name | Description and purpose of rule | Rules and amendment numbers | Important dates |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Drug and Alcohol Management Plans and Testing (24/CAR/02) |
Rules are required to give effect to the Civil Aviation Act 2023 provisions for drug and alcohol management plans (DAMPs) and random testing: primarily the scope of the participants/certificate holders affected and dates for submitting first DAMPs. |
The Minister of Transport signed the rule on 20 July 2024. |
Rule came in to force on 5 April 2025. |
|
Assorted Issues (24/CAR/01) |
The Assorted Issues policy project consists of a collection of issues that exceed the criteria of an omnibus rule amendment (very minor changes), yet do not warrant an individual stand-alone policy and rules project. Individually, these changes are not likely to meet cost-benefit or significance thresholds to be prioritised for rule development but are good to do from a regulatory stewardship perspective. |
Due to time constraints related to the implementation of the new Act, these draft rules were incorporated into the Act rule changes and were signed by the Minister on 13th December. Summary of public submissions were also published on the CAA website on 13 January 2025. |
3 x CAA Notices are currently being drafted |
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