FAQs on licences
The following FAQs may be relevant to those:
- who hold a New Zealand General Amateur Operators Certificate, or who would like to obtain a Certificate
- who own a radio transmitting device and are unsure whether they require an individual radio licence
- who would like to setup a broadcast radio station
- who require the approval of a Licensing Agency before their radio licence application can be certified by an ARE or ARC
- who own and operate maritime radio apparatus on board their vessel
- who are current radio licence holders of 25 kHz analogue land mobile radio equipment
On this page
- New Zealand amateur operators
- Radio transmitting devices
- Broadcast radio stations
- Licensing agency approvals
- Maritime ship radio stations
- 25 kHz analogue land mobile channel operations
New Zealand amateur operators
How do I apply for an amateur licence?
See information at Amateur Licenses.
What is the annual fee for amateur operators?
There are no annual fees for amateur radio operators.
What are the fees for amateur repeaters/beacons/fixed links?
These remain individually licensed - see class of licence code OA1 of the fee schedule.
How do I change my amateur callsign?
Your amateur callsign can be changed by consulting an amateur Approved Radio Examiner (see the list of ARX).
How do I know what callsigns are available?
You can search the Register of Radio Frequencies (the Register)to see what callsigns are in use and what is available.
Where do I go to sit my amateur qualification?
Contact the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters who will provide contact details for your local amateur radio club.
I am an amateur operator visiting New Zealand – what do I need to do?
If you are staying less than 90 days see the general user radio licence. If you are staying more than 90 days you need to contact RSM.
I am travelling overseas, what are the requirements in the country that I am visiting?
New Zealand has reciprocal agreements with Australia and Japan and countries participating in Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) Recommendations TR61-01and TR 61-02. See worldwide information on reciprocal arrangements for licensing of amateur radio operators.
Radio transmitting devices
What are General User Radio Licences?
General User Radio Licences (GURL) provide for certain classes of radio transmitters to be used without the need for the owner to obtain a licence in their own name. A full list of classes that operate under a GURL are listed on the General User Radio Licence page.
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.
Can my radio transmitting device operate under a General User Radio Licence?
You can check your radio device against the list of General User Radio Licences.
Does the scope of the regulations include human exposure to radio frequency (RF) fields?
No. Human exposure to RF fields in the environment from radio transmitting facilities is covered under the Resource Management Act administered by the Ministry for the Environment, either through the National Environmental Standard on Telecommunications Facilities or District Plans. Compliance is the responsibility of the operator of the transmitting facility.While there are no explicit regulations covering public exposure to RF fields from other radio products, the Ministry of Health expects exposures to comply with the relevant limits in NZS 2772.1:1999 Radiofrequency Fields Part 1: - Maximum exposure levels 3 kHz - 300 GHz. These limits are based on the 1998 International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection Guidelines. The product user guide should clearly state whether any particular precautions should be taken to ensure compliance with the limits.
International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection Guidelines
National Environmental Standard on Telecommunications Facilities
Radiofrequency field exposure standard
Broadcast radio stations
Do I need a licence to start a low power FM radio station?
Lower power FM radio stations may operate under a GURL.
Refer to the GURL for Low Power FM Broadcasting notice. Additional information can be found at General User Radio Licences.
How do I apply for a non-commercial broadcasting licence?
Before a Non-Commercial Community or Access Radio Broadcasting licence can be issued, approval is required from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage (MCH). They are responsible for advising the government on many aspects of Non-Commercial broadcasting.
Once approval from MCH is granted you then need to contact an ARE who will apply for the licence on your behalf.
How do I apply for a commercial broadcasting licence?
Contact an independent ARE who will apply for the licence on your behalf.
Note: It is Government policy to assign broadcasting frequencies by auction; or tender.
Further information is available in our broadcasting section.
When is the next radio frequencies auction?
Information on upcoming auctions can be found in the Spectrum Auctions section of the site. You can also sign up to our Business Update e-newsletter which advertises all future auctions.
Licensing agency approvals
How do I know if I need licensing agency approval?
The Register automatically routes an online application to the Licensing Agency when Licensing Agency approval is required.
What is the turnaround time if my application needs licensing agent approval?
RSM cannot determine the turnaround time of Licensing Agency considerations. Any enquiries about an application that is with a Licensing Agency must be directed to the Licensing Agency concerned.
Maritime ship radio stations
How do I get a copy of my MRROC/MGROC/MGOC certificate
Please contact an ARX who can arrange to issue an updated certificate for you for an appropriate charge. You will need to have a copy of your birth certificate or passport available and supply a recent passport type photo.
How do I obtain a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number?
MMSI numbers are automatically assigned:
- when you apply for a callsign from an ARX
- when you apply for a ship radio station licence online, or through an approved person.
Please contact us on freephone 0508 RSM INFO (0508 776 463) to establish a client record for use with a licence or for further information.
How do I get a callsign for my VHF marine radio?
If your boat only has a VHF radio (no SSB ) then you can contact the Coastguard to have a callsign issued, on 0800 40 80 90. See further information on maritime certificates and callsigns.
How do I get a callsign and licence for my SSB radio?
SSB radios are covered by a GURL for Maritime Purposes. A callsign can be obtained by contacting an ARX.
If you want to obtain a ship radio station licence - then you can do this by applying online or through an ARX, ARE, or ARC.
How do I apply for a coast station licence?
Contact an ARE or ARC who will apply for the licence on your behalf.
See further information on Maritime Ship licences.
Who can carry out a ship radio survey or inspection?
Contact Maritime New Zealand on 0508 22 55 22, or your Safe Ship Management company for a ship radio survey or inspection.
25 kHz analogue land mobile channel operations
Background
Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) (and its predecessors) have been encouraging the phase-out of 25 kHz channels in LMR bands since 1992.
25 kHz channels are being phased out to promote more efficient use of LMR bands, reduce congestion, and align New Zealand with international practice.
A phase-out deadline was set for 1 November 2015 for all services below 470 MHz and 31 December 2019 for all services above 470 MHz. Affected licensees were first informed of the phase-out deadline by letter, sent in November 2010.
What is happening?
The phase out deadline for LMR channels in frequencies below 470 MHz was 1 November 2015.
This applied to 25 kHz LMR licences in frequencies below 470 MHz (E, C and D bands). On 1 November 2015, all 25 kHz LMR licences in frequencies below 470 MHz were revoked.
The phase-out deadline has been extended for LMR channels in frequencies above 470 MHz.
RSM have recently reviewed the deadline for the phase-out and have extended it to 31 December 2019 for all LMR licences operating in frequencies above 470 MHz (F band and TS band).
On 31 December 2019, all 25 kHz licences operating in frequencies above 470 MHz will be revoked.
Licences for Data links used for telemetry (SCADA) on 25 kHz channels in UHF have an exemption from the deadlines and may continue operating.
The Radio Licence Policy Rules (PIB 58) and the Radio Licence Certification Rules (PIB 38) contain specific details on creating or modifying licences for the various land mobile bands.
Which bands are affected by the change?
All commercial land mobile bands currently operating with 25 kHz channel sizes and using analogue technology. These bands are detailed in PIB 23.
How do I know if I'm affected and what licences are affected?
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has sent letters to 25 kHz LMR licensees.
If you have received a letter, then it means that RSM has identified some 25 kHz analogue licences under your name or company. You can view the licences held by your company through our online register SMART.
Licences have a number in the field called "emission". If this number starts with 16, then this is 25 kHz channel licence. Note that the phase-out deadlines apply only to analogue 25 kHz, which corresponds to the emission code 16K0F3EJN.
The letters detail each licensee’s current 25 kHz licences and the date by which they need to transition.
Does this mean that current users need to move to digital?
No. Moving to digital is an option (and encouraged) but current users can continue operating analogue services in 12.5 kHz narrow band channels. There is no obligation for users to move to digital, especially considering that some 25 kHz analogue equipment is able to switch to 12.5 kHz mode.
Our network currently operates 25 kHz channels. How can we move to 12.5 kHz channels?
Some equipment is already capable of switching between 25 and 12.5 kHz channel bandwidths. Users should consult with their equipment supplier or manufacturer on this.
What is the cost of switching our equipment from 25 kHz to 12.5 kHz?
Some equipment may be switched by simple button activation, where no cost is involved. Other older types may require some software upgrade or hardware modification, involving some cost. Some older equipment may not be able to switch at all, and then the only option is replacement (new equipment). In cases where users need to get new equipment, a reasonable choice would be getting new digital equipment. Users should consult with their equipment supplier or manufacturer on this.
Any questions on costs of equipment, switching and equipment modification need to be referred to the supplier.
Do I need a new licence to switch from 25 kHz to 12.5 kHz?
Yes.
I'm not sure what to do to get a licence. How can I submit a licence application?
An ARE or ARC can do this for you. They are familiar with the Register and can also assist you with the technical aspects of your application.
Is there a cost for getting a new licence?
The independent engineer may charge you for engineering services to migrate your licence from 25 kHz to 12.5 kHz. This fee will be between you and your chosen independent engineer. Your annual licence fee remains the same.
Can I use 25 kHz UHF Land Mobile channels for SCADA or Data services after the deadline?
After the deadlines (1 November 2015 below 470 MHz and 31 December 2019 above 470 MHz), only current 25 kHz SCADA or Data services, typically used by utility companies and councils can continue operating in land mobile bands.
New SCADA or telemetry services on 25 kHz channel assignments in UHF bands will be considered by RSM Licensing on a case by case basis. Application can be made to an ARE or ARC, who will contact RSM Licensing for consent.
What is happening with SCADA/ Data services when do they have to transition?
SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition)/ data services are used by councils and utility companies to monitor and control services such as water and sewerage.
Current UHF licences used for SCADA / data services are exempt and does not need to transition with no deadline set.
What will happen to 25 kHz simplex licences that use a combination of bands in frequencies both above and below 470 MHz on 1 November 2015?
Simplex licences will be able to be modified by an Approved Radio Engineer or Certifier to contain both 12.5 kHz and 25 kHz channels on the same licence.
