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 |
|---|---|---|---|
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‘Quick Wins’ |
The purpose of this project is to align RESA length requirements with ICAO standards and recommended practice, enable development at regional aerodromes and allow for the use of arresting systems. |
The NPRM was published for consultation on 13 April 2026 and closed on 11 May 2026. The Minister signed the rules on 24 June 2026. |
The rules come into effect on 31 August 2026. |
|
ICAO Alignment Safety Group 1 |
This project aims to addresses ICAO audit findings where NZ’s CARs are not fully aligned, in order to improve the Effective Implementation score. At a high level, the findings span key areas of aviation safety oversight, including aircraft tracking and operations risk management, operational equipment requirements, public health reporting, accident investigation data, and ongoing operational reliability. |
Policy analysis underway |
Publish NPRM |
|
Part 21/145 Recognition of foreign regulatory frameworks for certification and maintenance. |
Making rules changes to enable recognition of foreign regulatory regimes for maintenance and airworthiness, aims to reduce regulatory burden and operating costs for airline operators and better support economic growth in the aviation sector without compromising existing safety standards. |
Policy analysis underway |
Publish NPRM |
|
ICAO Alignment Security |
This project aims to align with multiple ICAO standards and recommended procedures for aviation security, including those relating to air cargo, catering, in-flight supplies, landside security and training. |
Policy analysis 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
‘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. |
The Minister signed the rule on 23 April 2026. The rule came into effect on 12 June 2026. |
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‘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. |
The Minister signed the rule on 23 April 2026. The rule came into effect on 12 June 2026. |
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‘Quick Wins’ Part 125 - Incorrect Design Change Reference |
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: Remove a requirement in Part 125 relating to design changes that current Single Engine IFR aircraft cannot comply with. Subject to a general exemption that is soon to expire (16/ISS/19). |
NPRM was released for consultation on 17 November and closed on 1st December 2025. The Minister signed this rule on 11th December. The rule came into force on 27 February 2026. |
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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. |
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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. |
The two CAA Notices on Night Vision Imaging Systems and Performance Based Communication Surveillance have been published on the CAA website. |
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