Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017

Licences and permits - Launch licences

14: Minister may vary, revoke, or suspend launch licence

You could also call this:

"The Minister can change or cancel a space launch permit for safety or security reasons."

Illustration for Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017

The Minister can change, stop, or cancel a launch licence at any time. You might be wondering why the Minister would do this - it could be because you agreed to it in writing, or because you asked them to. The Minister can also make these changes if they think you have broken the rules, or if it's necessary for national security, public safety, or for New Zealand to meet its international obligations.

The Minister has to talk to the security Ministers before making any changes to a launch licence, as outlined in section 55. If a special certificate is issued under section 55, the Minister must stop or cancel the licence. The Minister can also make changes if something else happens that affects national security, public safety, or New Zealand's international obligations, such as a change to a licence or permit that was considered when your launch licence was approved, as mentioned in section 51.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6966450.

Topics:
Business > Industry rulesGovernment and voting > Government departments
Previous

13: Continuing obligations of licensee, or

"What you must keep doing even after your launch licence ends"

Next

15: Launch of payload from New Zealand requires payload permit, or

"Launching something into space from New Zealand needs a special permit."

Part 2Licences and permits
Launch licences

14Minister may vary, revoke, or suspend launch licence

  1. The Minister may, at any time, vary a launch licence on any conditions that the Minister thinks fit, or suspend or revoke a launch licence,—

  2. with the prior written consent of the licensee; or
    1. on the written application of the licensee; or
      1. if the Minister believes on reasonable grounds that—
        1. the licensee has breached the Act, the regulations, or a condition of the licence; or
          1. the revocation, variation, or suspension is necessary in the interests of national security, public safety, or compliance with any of New Zealand’s international obligations, or other national interests; or
            1. a licence, permit, or other authorisation that the Minister treated as satisfying any criteria under section 51 has changed, expired, or been revoked and the Minister considers that the change, expiry, or revocation affects interests of national security, public safety, or New Zealand’s compliance with any of New Zealand’s international obligations, or other national interests; or
            2. for any other reason specified in the licence.

              1. Before varying, suspending, or revoking a launch licence, the Minister must consult the security Ministers in accordance with section 55.

              2. The Minister must suspend or revoke a licence if a certificate is issued under section 55.