CAA is undertaking a focused programme of work to update Civil Aviation Rules over a two-year period, beginning April 2026.
The programme aims to modernise New Zealand’s civil aviation rules, increase alignment with international standards, and be more responsive to the aviation sector’s needs, while increasing safety and security for the travelling public.
On this page you’ll find information and status updates on all projects, including upcoming consultations, and project outcomes.
We’ll also send regular updates through our email notifications to the Rule projects in progress list and related rule parts. Subscribe here: Email notification service.
The programme comprises 23 projects. An overview can be found here:
Rules Update Programme - summary of projects
We’re establishing Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) for each project. These groups will play a critical role in ensuring problems are well defined and that options for rule changes are understood.
We are currently seeking expressions of interest from anyone who is a subject matter expert in a particular aviation discipline who would like to participate in a TAG. You can find more information and register your interest here:
TAG expression of interest(external link)
About Technical Advisory Groups
Below is some key information about the programme. We will continue to update this information as the programme progresses, so please check back regularly (newly published Q&As will be noted in the What’s new section of the website)
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has engaged Captain David Morgan, a long-serving Air New Zealand pilot and participant in New Zealand’s aviation sector, to provide advice and assistance for a comprehensive review of Civil Aviation Rule Part 61 - Pilot Licences and Ratings under the Rules Update Programme.
Captain Morgan brings extensive knowledge of and experience within the aviation sector. He began pilot training at Ardmore in the 1970s, in a career spanning over 40 years. His standing in New Zealand’s piloting community, experience with the CAA’s regulatory regime, and his knowledge of both the New Zealand and international aviation sectors make him well-suited to this role.
As part of the Part 61 review project team, Captain Morgan will act as an external industry facilitator during the project’s discovery phase, helping the CAA and the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions & Transport (MCERT) seek out and synthesise input from the aviation sector. In doing so, he will not represent any single operator, sector, employer, nor advocate for any predetermined policy outcome.
Captain Morgan is undertaking this role in his personal capacity, not as a representative of Air New Zealand or any of the organisations with which he’s affiliated.
The full Terms of Reference for Captain Morgan’s role as industry advisor are available here:
Part 61 Project Industry Advisor Terms Of Reference [PDF 289 KB]
These set out the independence of his input into the development of aviation policy for this project.
CAA and MCERT are currently undertaking a focused programme of work to update 23 Civil Aviation Rules over a two-year period, beginning April 2026. The programme aims to modernise New Zealand’s civil aviation rules, increase alignment with international standards, and be more responsive to the aviation sector’s needs, while increasing safety and security for the travelling public.
This project will review Part 61 to improve training, licensing, and progression – particularly for commercial, private, and specialist operations – to better align with ICAO and arrangements in other countries. The review aims to increase flexibility, update requirements and address multiple issues and opportunities, including, but not limited to:
CAA compiled a list of issues from a range of inputs, including Ministerial direction, an industry survey, additional input from industry, exemptions, existing policy issues, ICAO audit findings, review of our own processes and systems.
A long list of around 350 issues was synthesised to identify commonalities and assessed against 9 criteria to determine priority.
CAA will lead the rule development process in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport. The programme will include extensive engagement with the aviation sector through technical advisory groups and consultation.
TAG members will be selected from respondents to the Expression of Interest. CAA will confirm membership for each TAG on a case-by-case basis, according to the needs and complexity of the project.
Complete this form:
There are three key stages:
You can learn more about the policy and rule development processes on the following pages:
This will be determined in the policy investigation stage of each project, once the problem is thoroughly defined. This process will involve the technical advisory group to ensure we’re addressing the right problem.
