Amateur licences

Who does this licence apply to?

• Persons holding a New Zealand General Amateur operators certificate who operate radio transmitting equipment within the amateur radio bands.
• Persons visiting New Zealand who hold an approved CEPT amateur operator licence.

Becoming a radio amateur

Amateur operators require a successful amateur exam result notification before a Certificate of Competency can be issued. Information on amateur exams can be obtained from the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART). 

Applicants who want an Amateur Operator’s Certificate or examination for the certificate must apply to an Approved Radio Examiner.

Operating as a radio amateur in New Zealand

Radio amateurs in New Zealand must:

• hold a relevant Radio Operator Certificates of Competency
  
• use a callsign for identification purposes.
   

Amateur Operator activity in New Zealand apart from Repeaters, Beacons and Fixed Links are covered by the General User Radio Licence for Amateur Radio Operators.

Amateur operation in the 50 – 51 MHz band is permitted subject to individual agreement between RSM and the amateur. Certain terms and conditions must be met dependent on the operation area. To apply for a permission to operate in the 50 - 51 MHz band contact Radio Spectrum Management (RSM).

Visiting foreign amateurs may operate for up to 90 days under the provisions of the General User Radio Licence for Amateur Radio Operators.

Amateur equipment such as repeaters, beacons and fixed links must be individually licensed as they require coordination with other radio services. You can apply for a radio licence for repeaters, beacons and fixed links online or contact an approved radio engineer or certifier to apply for the licence on your behalf.

Searching for a callsign

Both amateur operator certificate holders and club stations that have an associated callsign can be found online in SMART. The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) also publish an annual 'Callbook' of amateur operator callsign holders.