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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

83B: Direction to stop providing electricity or internet services to GBSI

You could also call this:

"Minister can order electricity or internet cut off to keep New Zealand safe from space equipment risks"

Illustration for Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017

If the Minister gives a disposal order under section 83A, they have some extra powers. The Minister can tell an electricity retailer or internet service provider to stop giving electricity or internet to someone who has been given a disposal order, or to the place where some equipment is located. This can happen until the equipment is disposed of.

The Minister can only give this direction if they think it is necessary to keep New Zealand safe, and if there is no other way to manage the risk. You have to follow the Minister's direction if you are given one, and you have to do it within the time and in the way they specify.

You might be wondering what a disposal order is, or what kind of equipment we are talking about. The equipment is called a GBSI, and it is related to outer space and high-altitude activities. If the Minister gives a disposal order, it means they want something to be done with the GBSI, like getting rid of it.

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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=LMS1462195.

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83A: Disposal order, or

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

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83C: Forfeiture order, or

"What happens if you don't follow the rules: the court can take something away from you"

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

83BDirection to stop providing electricity or internet services to GBSI

  1. This section applies if the Minister gives a disposal order under section 83A.

  2. The Minister may direct an electricity retailer or internet service provider to stop providing electricity or internet services to either or both of the following, until the GBSI subject to the disposal order is disposed of:

  3. the person given the disposal order:
    1. the place or premises where the GBSI is located.

      1. The Minister may give a direction under subsection (2) only if the Minister is satisfied on reasonable grounds that—

      2. the direction is necessary to mitigate a risk to national security or another national interest; and
        1. the risk cannot be adequately managed by other enforcement action under this Act.

          1. A person who is given a direction under subsection (2) must comply with it within the time, and in the manner, specified in the direction.

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