A transition period would last until March, when infrastructure operators would have to demonstrate due diligence and have security systems to get registered, or risk fines of $50,000 to $250,000,
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will administer the registration regime.
“To date, these risks have been managed through non-regulatory measures, including relying on the goodwill of [ground-based] operators,” Collins said.
But these measures were no longer sufficient.
“The introduction of this new regime will serve as a deterrent. It sends a very clear message that we take our national security seriously, and we will act if we suspect that it is under threat,” she said.
This would cover space surveillance and satellite communications, telemetry, tracking and control of spacecraft, and geodetic infrastructure, but not consumer products such as satellite phones.
-RNZ