New Zealand’s aerospace, space and defence businesses are attracting investment, commercialising advanced technologies, supplying government and defence customers, and expanding internationally. This growth brings complex questions around export controls, national security, regulatory approvals, intellectual property, investment and government procurement.
Our team helps clients make practical decisions about commercialising technology, entering new markets and managing risk. We advise aerospace manufacturers, space and satellite businesses, launch providers, aviation operators, defence and dual-use technology companies, investors, research institutions and government organisations.
A new product, investment or international programme can involve corporate transactions, technology licensing, export controls, aviation or space regulation, government procurement and national security requirements at the same time. Our specialists work across these areas to provide coordinated advice that helps clients identify requirements and move projects forward.
For cross-border projects and transactions, we work closely with lawyers in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. Our relationship with MinterEllison in Australia provides trans-Tasman support, and better supports clients navigate overlapping requirements affecting investment, supply chains, technology transfers, export controls and customs.
MinterEllisonRuddWatts is a member of Aerospace New Zealand, and Dr. Ross Patterson serves on the board of the Space Law Council of Australia and New Zealand.
Our expertise includes
Commercialisation, investment and transactions
- Capital raising and venture investment
- M&A and joint ventures
- Commercial, manufacturing, supply and technology agreements
- Corporate structuring for international growth
- Cross-border investment and transactions
Export controls, customs, sanctions and trade compliance
- New Zealand export controls and strategic goods, including interaction with overseas export control requirements
- Sanctions and trade compliance
- Defence and dual-use goods and technology
- Product classification and export licensing
- End-user, end-use and supply-chain due diligence
- Customs advice and cross-border movements of aircraft, equipment and controlled technology, including temporary imports and exports
- End-user, end-use and supply chain due diligence
Customs advice for cross-border movements of aircraft, equipment and controlled technology, including temporary imports and exports
- Space activities and satellite regulatory approvals
- Launch operations and ground-based space infrastructure
- Aviation and drone regulation
- Radio spectrum licensing
- Market entry and operational approvals
- Sector-specific regulator engagement
Government, defence and national security
- Engagement with sector regulators
- Defence programmes and strategic partnerships
- Public sector contracting
- Foreign investment and national security requirements
- Government engagement
Technology, intellectual property and people
- Intellectual property protection and commercialisation
- Technology licensing and collaboration agreements
- Privacy, cyber security and data protection
- Employment and immigration support for specialist workforces
- Commercial and regulatory disputes
Recent experience
Space and advanced aerospace
Aerospace technology and export controls
Advised a New Zealand aerospace company on export controls, sanctions and trade compliance for the development, manufacture and international supply of advanced aerospace technology, including a risk-based compliance programme to support international growth.
Satellite communications infrastructure
Advised a global satellite communications provider on regulatory authorisations and radio spectrum licensing for strategic ground communications infrastructure under New Zealand’s ground-based space infrastructure regime.
Drone market entry
Advised an international industrial drone manufacturer on entering the New Zealand market, including aviation and operational requirements, customs, testing approvals and licensing.
Defence and dual-use technologies
Defence technology and ITAR
Advised a global defence and transport technology company on compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the interaction between defence export restrictions and New Zealand employment, privacy and anti-discrimination law.
Military and government communications
Advised a communications technology manufacturer on export controls and authorisations for international supply to military and government customers, including sanctions, military end-use restrictions and regulator engagement.
Export controls compliance
Advised a distributor of drone and surveillance systems on an export controls compliance framework covering product classification, sanctions screening, end-user due diligence, governance, auditing and record keeping.
Aviation and aviation security
Sanctions and aircraft recovery
Advised an aviation company on export controls, sanctions and aircraft recovery issues arising from international sanctions regimes, including restrictions affecting aircraft-related transactions and applications for regulatory exemptions.
Regulatory investigation
Advised an aviation company during a sanctions and export controls investigation, including regulatory engagement, evidence preparation and investigation strategy.
Aviation security technology
Advised a global aviation security technology provider on New Zealand requirements for supplying, testing and operating its technology, including spectrum licensing, regulatory engagement and operational compliance.
Airline operations
Advised international airline operators on market entry and services in New Zealand and the Pacific, including aviation regulation, code-share arrangements, licensing and operational approvals.
