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When, and on the basis of what advice, if any, was a notification pathway for agricultural drone operations adopted in place of broader reform of Civil Aviation Rule Part 137, which the Ministry for Regulation's aide-mémoire MFR2026-026 of 10 February 2026 identifies as its preferred regulatory pathway?

Answered Question 40928 (2026)
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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • When, and on the basis of what advice, if any, was a notification pathway for agricultural drone operations adopted in place of broader reform of Civil Aviation Rule Part 137, which the Ministry for Regulation's aide-mémoire MFR2026-026 of 10 February 2026 identifies as its preferred regulatory pathway?

Answered by

Hon James Meager

Member for Rangitata · National Party · Associate Minister of Transport

Answer

Reform of agricultural drone rules is being progressed as part of the two-year Civil Aviation Rules Update Programme that I announced in April 2026. The Programme comprises 24 priority rule projects selected for their potential to improve aviation safety and security, support economic growth, reduce unnecessary regulatory burden, align with international standards and practices, and enable innovation. A broader review of Part 137 (Agricultural Aircraft Operations) was not included among those priority projects.