Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Civil Aviation Act 2023

Functions, powers, and duties of participants in civil aviation system - Registries and information services

37: Requirement to register aircraft

You could also call this:

"You must register your aircraft if you keep it in New Zealand for 28 days or more."

Illustration for Civil Aviation Act 2023

If you have an aircraft in New Zealand for 28 days or longer, you must follow some rules. You need to apply to register your aircraft and get a certificate of registration from certain authorities. These authorities include the Director or aeronautical authorities from other countries that have agreements with New Zealand.

You cannot register your aircraft in New Zealand if it is already registered in another country. The Director can decline your application to register your aircraft if it does not meet certain requirements. If the Director declines your application, you can appeal to the District Court under section 453.

The rules about registering aircraft are important to follow. If you are not sure about something, you should look at the rules or talk to the authorities. Remember, you must register your aircraft if you want to fly it in New Zealand.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS49510.

Topics:
Transport and travel > Air travel
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36: New Zealand Register of Aircraft, or

"A list of all aircraft in New Zealand that the CAA must keep up to date"

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"Important aviation documents and information that the Civil Aviation Authority must keep and share with you"

Part 2Functions, powers, and duties of participants in civil aviation system
Registries and information services

37Requirement to register aircraft

  1. This section applies to a person lawfully entitled to the possession for a period of 28 days or longer of an aircraft that flies to, from, within, or over New Zealand territory.

  2. Except as otherwise provided in this Act or the rules, the person must apply to register that aircraft and hold a valid certificate of registration for that aircraft issued by any of the authorities mentioned in subsection (3).

  3. The authorities are as follows:

  4. the Director:
    1. the appropriate aeronautical authorities of a contracting State of ICAO:
      1. the appropriate aeronautical authorities of another State that is a party to an agreement with the Government of New Zealand or the CAA that provides for the acceptance of each other’s registrations.

        1. No aircraft may be, or remain, registered in New Zealand if it is registered in any other country.

        2. The Director may, in accordance with any requirements of the rules, decline an application to register any aircraft.

        3. A person may appeal against a decision under this section to the District Court under section 453.

        Compare
        • 1990 No 98 s 6