International Relations

International Telecommunications Union (ITU)

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs). Founded on the principle of international cooperation between governments (Member States) and the private sector (Sector Members, Associates and Academia), the ITU is the premier global forum through which parties work towards consensus on a wide range of issues affecting the future direction of the ICT industry.

As a Member State of the ITU New Zealand is a signatory to the Constitution and Convention of the International Telecommunication Union.

The ITU Administrative Regulations, which include the Radio Regulations and International Telecommunication Regulations, complement the Constitution and Convention. These documents form binding treaties for all Member States.

Plenipotentiary conferences

Every four years a Plenipotentiary Conference is hosted by a Member State to review and, if necessary, amend the ITU Convention and Constitution. 

World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC)

World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC) are held every three to four years. It is the job of WRC to review and, if necessary, revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits.

Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT)

In addition to other wider telecommunications activities, the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) provides a forum for discussion and coordination of Asia–Pacific regional views on radiocommunications matters. New Zealand is a member of the APT.

The APT Conference Preparatory Group for World Radiocommunication Conference (APG), established by the APT in 1996 with the objective of harmonizing views and developing common proposals from the Asia-Pacific region for the WRC, has developed into one of the most important activities of the APT.

The New Zealand Radio Sector

New Zealand’s participation in the ITU and APT is facilitated by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and involves input from and discussions with other Ministries and Departments, organisations operating radiocommunication and telecommunications services (including broadcasting), spectrum licensees and other interested parties. These discussions take place within the forum of the New Zealand Radio Sector.

The New Zealand Radio Sector meets at regular intervals in either Wellington or Auckland to:

• Share views and information relating to the development of New Zealand’s radio environment
• Participate in the preparation and formulation of New Zealand positions with regard to World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) matters. This has been achieved through the establishment of a New Zealand Conference Preparation Group (CPG) who work to achieve a New Zealand consensus in advance of APG meetings.
• Participate in the work of the ITU Radiocommunications Sector group (ITU-R) to improve the body of knowledge available for radio spectrum management and engineering. This has been achieved through the establishment of six New Zealand Study Groups corresponding to the ITU Radiocommunications Study Groups. 

Membership of the New Zealand Radio Sector

New Zealand residents with an interest in radio sector activities are invited to become a member of the New Zealand Radio Sector by contacting the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment by e-mail radiospectrum@med.govt.nz, or in writing to

The Administrator, New Zealand Radio Sector
Radio Spectrum Policy and Planning Group
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
P O Box 1473
Wellington

Individuals or organisations who are not New Zealand Residents can apply for observer status at New Zealand Radio Sector meetings and will be treated on a case by case basis.
 

The New Zealand Radio Sector secure website 

The New Zealand Radio Sector secure website is available to members only: Access the secure site here.