Civil Aviation Act 2023

Aviation security - Aviation security services and aviation security powers

133: Interpretation

You could also call this:

"What special words mean in the Civil Aviation Act 2023"

Illustration for Civil Aviation Act 2023

When you read this part of the law, you need to know what some words mean. Data is information in digital format that is stored in an electronic device. An electronic device is something that contains data, like a phone or a computer.

You also need to know what a pat down search is. This is when someone searches you while you are still clothed. They might run their hands over your body, or put their hands in your pockets.

Some other words you need to know are relevant item or substance, security area, sterile area, and thing. A relevant item or substance can be something dangerous, or something that is listed in a specific law, like section 11(1) of the Aviation Crimes Act 1972. A security area is a place where security is important, like an airport. A sterile area is a special part of the airport where only certain people are allowed to go. A thing can be an item, a substance, or even a vehicle.

These words are important to understand when you are reading about aviation security. You will see them used in different parts of the law. They help explain what is allowed and what is not allowed in certain situations.

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This page was last updated on 29 June 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS49657.

Topics:

Transport and travel > Air travelCrime and justice > Police and safety

132: Offence to fail to comply with Director’s requirement to withdraw or revoke authorisation, or

"Breaking the rules: not following the Director's orders to cancel or stop an authorisation"

134: Aviation security service providers, or

"Who can provide airport security services"

Part 5Aviation security
Aviation security services and aviation security powers

133Interpretation

In this subpart,—
data means information in digital format and other intangible material in an electronic device
electronic device or device means anything that contains data (including an electronic communication device or any other data storage device)
pat down search means a search of a clothed person in which the person conducting the search does all or any of the following:
1. runs or pats their hand over the body of the person being searched, whether outside or inside the clothing (other than any underclothing) of the person being searched:
2. inserts their hand inside any pocket or pouch in the clothing (other than any underclothing) of the person being searched:
3. for the purpose of permitting a visual inspection, requires the person being searched to do all or any of the following:
  1. open their mouth:
  2. display the palms of their hands:
  3. display the soles of their feet:
  4. lift or rub their hair
relevant item or substance means—
1. dangerous goods:
2. any item or substance specified in section 11(1) of the Aviation Crimes Act 1972:
3. any item or substance not already included in paragraph (a) or (b) that is specified in a direction under section 152 or 154
security area means a landside security area or an airside security area
sterile area means the area at an aerodrome, between the passenger inspection and screening station and the aircraft, into which access is strictly controlled
thing includes, without limitation, an item, a substance, or a vehicle.