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Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017

Licences and permits - Ground-based space infrastructure

49C: When GBSI activity authorisation may be granted

You could also call this:

"When the government can let you do space activities"

Illustration for Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017

The Minister can grant you a GBSI activity authorisation if they are satisfied your application is made correctly and includes a declaration under section 49B(3). The Minister must also think the authorisation is in the national interest. You need to follow the prescribed requirements when you apply.

The Minister considers if the authorisation is in the national interest by looking at benefits to New Zealand, risks to national security, and other national interests. They can also think about how to reduce any risks by adding conditions to the authorisation. The Minister can look at any other matters they think are relevant.

Before granting the authorisation, the Minister can talk to intelligence and security agencies about risks to national security and how to reduce them. If the Minister grants you an authorisation without thinking about the national interest, they can still change, cancel, or suspend it later under section 49E.

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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=LMS1461715.

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49B: Application for GBSI activity authorisation, or

"Apply to use ground-based space infrastructure for certain space activities"

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49D: Conditions and obligations relating to GBSI activity authorisation, or

"Rules to follow if you're allowed to do space-related activities in New Zealand"

Part 2Licences and permits
Ground-based space infrastructure

49CWhen GBSI activity authorisation may be granted

  1. The Minister may grant a GBSI activity authorisation only if the Minister is satisfied that the application—

  2. is made in accordance with prescribed requirements; and
    1. includes a declaration under section 49B(3).

      1. The Minister may, despite being satisfied of the matters in subsection (1), decline to grant a GBSI activity authorisation if the Minister is not satisfied that the grant of the authorisation is in the national interest.

      2. The Minister—

      3. must consider under subsection (2) whether the grant of a GBSI activity authorisation is in the national interest if the content of the application causes the Minister to suspect that it is not; and
        1. may do so in any other case.

          1. In considering the national interest for the purposes of subsection (2), the Minister may have regard to—

          2. economic or other benefits to New Zealand of the proposed activity:
            1. any risks to national security, public safety, international relations, or other national interests:
              1. the extent to which the risks can be mitigated by authorisation conditions:
                1. any other matters that the Minister considers relevant.

                  1. Before granting a GBSI activity authorisation, the Minister may consult the intelligence and security agencies about—

                  2. any risks to national security of a proposed activity under the authorisation; and
                    1. the extent to which the risks can be mitigated by authorisation conditions.

                      1. The fact that the Minister did not consider whether the grant of an authorisation was in the national interest before granting the application for it does not limit the Minister’s powers under section 49E to vary, revoke, or suspend the authorisation.

                      Notes
                      • Section 49C: inserted, on , by section 7 of the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 38).