Space Law in New Zealand — Signals from the ground

There’s something quietly radical about New Zealand’s place in space. We’re small. Remote. Famous for sheep, scenery, and good coffee. And yet, by 2025, we ranked third in the world for orbital rocket launches. Our space industry has grown 53% since 2019 — faster than the global average.

Given that New Zealand is increasingly viewed as a global space leader, we were delighted to have the opportunity to contribute again to the New Zealand chapter of Lexology In-Depth: Space Law.

Here is what we are seeing:

• New Zealand likes to say yes — but with boundaries. Our space regulation is pro-industry, but it’s getting firmer guardrails to protect national interests and national security.

• The core framework is still the Outer Space and High Altitude Activities Act 2017, supported by regulations that deal with launch, payload and high altitude activities. Depending on what you are doing, you may also need to think about the Radiocommunications Act 1989 (including satellite filings and spectrum licences).

• In 2025, the Outer Space Act was amended to add a new regime for ground based space infrastructure (for example, satellite tracking stations, telemetry systems and surveillance equipment). The amendment passed under urgency after reports of attempted foreign interference and is designed to ensure appropriate oversight, national interest assessments and adequate enforcement powers. The regulations for this regime are expected by 29 July 2026.

• In February 2026, the Government also announced that the total number of permitted space vehicle launches allowed to drop jettisoned debris in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone has increased from 100 to 1000, provided that the debris avoids sensitive features like seamounts and that certain pre-activity and post-activity requirements are met. The 100-launch limit was set in 2017 and was due to be reached by mid-2026. The new 1000 launch limit probably won’t be reached until 2050, reflecting the Government’s ambitious yet measured space strategy.

• New Zealand’s space economy is still largely driven by the ‘new space’ sector consisting of significant private capital and innovation. Compared to other space nations, the Government hasn’t spent big, at least not yet. But that is starting to shift – through both the Government’s investment in the industry (including via the recently launched Kiwi Space Activator programme) and its ambition to be a more active customer of space services.

• What comes next? Expect more focus on who is behind space activities in New Zealand. Plan for ground infrastructure regulations to land, with in-scope operators needing to obtain full authorisation to begin or continue their activities in New Zealand once those regulations are in place. And look out for opportunities for government investment, including to boost space enabled government projects and the national space mission.

For more information, the full chapter is available here or feel free to get in touch with us.

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