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Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017

Enforcement and other matters - Disposal orders, directions, and forfeiture orders for ground-based space infrastructure

83A: Disposal order

You could also call this:

"When to get rid of space equipment for New Zealand's safety"

Illustration for Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017

The Minister can give you a disposal order if you have an interest in or a right to operate ground-based space infrastructure. This order can require you to get rid of all or part of your interest or right, and it can specify how and when you must do this. You may also have to report back to the Minister to say how you have followed the order.

The Minister can only give you a disposal order if they think your operation of the ground-based space infrastructure is a risk to national security or another national interest. They must also think that this risk cannot be managed in other ways, such as by imposing conditions on an authorisation or taking enforcement action under subpart 1 or 3 of this Part. When making a decision, the Minister must consider New Zealand's international obligations.

If you are given a disposal order, you must follow it within the time and in the manner specified in the order.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1462194.

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Part 3Enforcement and other matters
Disposal orders, directions, and forfeiture orders for ground-based space infrastructure

83ADisposal order

  1. The Minister may give a disposal order to a person who has an interest in, or a right to operate, ground-based space infrastructure.

  2. A disposal order may—

  3. require disposal of all or part of the interest or right:
    1. specify the time within which, or the manner in which, the disposal must be made:
      1. specify any reasonable steps that must be taken in order to comply with the disposal order:
        1. require the person to report to the Minister within the time specified in the order stating how and when the order has been or will be implemented.

          1. The Minister may give a disposal order to a person only if the Minister is satisfied on reasonable grounds that—

          2. the person’s operation of the GBSI to carry out a regulated activity gives rise, is likely to give rise, or has given rise to a risk to national security or another national interest; and
            1. the risk cannot be adequately managed by imposing conditions on an authorisation, suspending or revoking an authorisation, or taking enforcement or other action under subpart 1 or 3 of this Part.

              1. The Minister must have regard to New Zealand’s international obligations when acting under this section.

              2. A person who is given a disposal order must comply with it within the time, and in the manner, specified in the order.

              Notes
              • Section 83A: inserted, on , by section 21 of the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 38).