Airspace | aviation.govt.nz

New Zealand airspace is designated and classified by the Director of Civil Aviation in accordance with Civil Aviation Rules, Part 71.

The airspace consists of two areas:

New Zealand Flight Information Region - this is New Zealand’s domestic airspace.
Auckland Oceanic Flight Information Region - this is airspace over the high seas that New Zealand manages under an ICAO Regional Air Navigation Agreement.

Airspace can be designated as either controlled airspace, or special use airspace. Controlled airspace is designated where there is a need for an air traffic control service to be provided for the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations. Part 71 empowers the Director to restrict aviation activity by the designation of special use airspace. Special use airspace includes restricted areas, military operating areas, mandatory broadcast zones, volcanic hazard zones, danger areas, and low flying zones.

The legal descriptions of airspace, including the geographical coordinates of designated points and other significant locations, are contained in the NZ Air Navigation Register. In accordance with ICAO Annex 15, all coordinates are in the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84) datum. A conversion tool to other datum is available from Land Information NZ.

New Zealand Air Navigation Register (AIP)(external link)

Land Information NZ - conversion tool(external link)

The NZ Air Navigation Register is a description of New Zealand airspace, and it is updated every 28 days. Although the Register contains a range of aeronautical data, it is not intended for operational use. The Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) is the document for current operational information.

Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP)(external link)

Objects and activities that affect navigable airspace

Civil Aviation Rules, Part 77 covers objects and activities that affect navigable airspace. This covers areas such as structures, lights, lasers, weapons firing and pyrotechnics. Notification to the CAA is required for a range of activities near aerodromes and elsewhere above certain heights.

Airspace hazards - Fireworks, balloons, model aircraft, kites, structures, wires, etc

Part 77 Proposals and Determinations

Civil Aviation Rules, Part 77

If you have any questions relating to airspace, or the NZ Air Navigation Register, please contact the Aeronautical Services Unit.