The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is making changes on how we work to improve our performance as New Zealand’s safety and security regulator.
Over the past year, we’ve been focused on preparing for the implementation of the new Civil Aviation Act 2023 (CA Act 2023), and reviewing our organisational structure, system and processes. In April 2025 the new Act has come into effect, and we moved into a new organisational structure.
We know that while having the right structure is a key enabler, real change comes from changing how we work. To support a sustained focus on implementing these changes and improving performance, we have released the Ways of Working. This document outlines how we will be adjusting our practices, systems, and culture to become a modern, intelligence-led, and risk-based regulator.
“This is a big organisational and operational undertaking for CAA, one we are already seeing improvements from, and will be actively embedding throughout 2025 and into 2026” says Director of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive, Keith Manch.
These shifts in Ways of Working go hand-in-hand with planned changes to how we operate: taking an intelligence-led and risk-based approach, improving our leadership capability, fostering a ‘one organisation’ culture within the Civil Aviation Authority and Aviation Security, making regulatory decisions aligned with public interest and ‘Just Culture’ principles, and balancing trust with verification - based on the quality, and demonstration, of strong safety and security practices.
While improvements have already been made, given the extent of the shifts being made, this is a long-term effort and is subject to close oversight and monitoring by both CAA Management and the CAA Board.
The changes we have and are making are based on detailed analysis and information gathered from both external stakeholders and staff. This includes an internal Culture Assessment and Engagement Survey, CAA Stakeholder survey and external engagement, and comprehensive consultation with our people.
“The results from the reviews, surveys and consultations have made it really clear where we perform really well, and where there are key areas for improvement” says Mr Manch. “These changes directly respond to feedback from stakeholders and regulated parties – particularly around improving timeliness, responsiveness, and the overall experience of engaging with the CAA.”
