Conformity and compliance requirements

All transmissions of radio waves in New Zealand are required to be authorised by a licence. Every person who transmits radio waves otherwise than in accordance with a licence commits an offence. Note that some general conditions apply to all licences, including the requirement to grant entry to authorised inspectors, at all reasonable times to any place, premises or building for the purposes of ensuring compliance with the licence.

Requirements for operation under a general user licence

General User Licences provide for certain classes of radio transmitter to be used without the need for the owner to obtain a licence in their own name. Provided the equipment meets the applicable technical standards, operates only on the allocated frequencies and meets any other requirements specified in the licence, the equipment may be freely used by anyone.

Requirements for radio licence holders

The contents of a radio licence will at a minimum specify the:

• name of the licensee
• location
• frequency(ies) or frequency band(s) that apply to the transmission of radio waves, or the frequency(ies) or frequency band(s) that apply to the protection, if any, afforded from harmful interference from co-channel emissions
• class of radio licence (category and type of radiocommunication service)

Radio licences are subject to annual fees.  Although no expiry date may appear on the licence, failure to pay the annual fee will result in the revocation of the licence.

Requirements for spectrum licence holders

The spectrum licence will specify the:

• name of the rightholder
• location of the transmitter or, where the transmitter is not a fixed location, the area within which the transmitter may transmit pursuant to the licence
• maximum power of emissions permitted
• unwanted emission limits applying to emissions from the transmitter, expressed as the maximum e.i.r.p for such emissions
• class of emissions permitted
• horizontal radiation pattern
• antenna polarisation
• antenna height (for a transmitter at a fixed location)
• location(s) at the receive coverage location(s) applying to the licence; or an area as the receive coverage area applying to the licence and specifying the maximum permitted interfering signals applying to that location or those locations or that area
• commencement date
• expiry date of the licence
• conditions applying to the exercise of the rightholder’s rights

Spectrum licences are granted for periods up to 20 years and also require payment of an annual fee. Failure to pay the fee will result in the revocation of the licence.