Airspace review

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regularly reviews New Zealand’s airspace to ensure it remains safe, efficient, and fit for its purpose.

Under Civil Aviation Rule Part 71, each airspace designation and classification must be reviewed at least every five years.

We are evolving how we carry out these reviews - moving toward a more flexible, user-informed approach that better reflects how airspace is used today.

How airspace review works

Airspace reviews help ensure that New Zealand’s airspace supports current and future aviation activity.

Each review should consider:

• The ongoing need for the airspace classification or designation
• Safety followed by efficiency and access for different airspace users
• Input from affected stakeholders

Our approach

We are shifting from a fixed review cycle to a more responsive, collaborative model.

This means:

• Review processes are scheduled to align with airspace user forums
• Issues can be identified and addressed as they arise
• Engagement happens closer to where airspace users already participate.

Our goal is to make the airspace review process more visible, timely, and accessible for all users.

How to get involved

Airspace users can engage with reviews in a number of ways:

• Participating in regional airspace forums
• Supporting the development of a user group led airspace petition
• Providing feedback during formal consultations of airspace petitions
• Contacting CAA with questions or suggestions via aeronautical.services@caa.govt.nz.

Current airspace reviews

A schedule of reviews has been determined as part of the airspace review plan, which is broadly aligned with geographical areas.

Date of user group *	Location	Status	Briefing area
19 May 2026	Kerikeri	In progress	NZ01
4 June 2026	Auckland uncontrolled	In progress	NZ01
4 June 2026	Ardmore (including Drury, Mercer)	In progress	NZ02
16 July 2026	Auckland controlled	In progress	NZ01
22 July 2026	Whakatane	In progress	NZ02
29 July 2026	Hamilton	In progress	NZ02
28 July 2026	Whanganui	In progress	NZ03
20 August 2026	Palmerston North	Planned	NZ03
1 September 2026	Tauranga	Planned	NZ02
17 September 2026	Rotorua	Planned	NZ02
September 2026	Paraparaumu	Planned	NZ03
Sep/Oct 2026	Hawkes Bay (including Hastings)	Planned	NZ04
21 October 2026	Great Barrier	Planned	NZ01
October 2026	Gisborne (including Wairoa)	Planned	NZ04
5 November 2026	New Plymouth	Planned	NZ03
November 2026	Wellington	Planned	NZ06
Q1 2027	Christchurch and surrounds	Planned	NZ08
Q2 2027	Woodbourne (including Omaka and Picton)	Planned	NZ06

* The dates shown are the currently planned dates for these activities and may be subject to change.