Technological advances in airspace management and air navigation services bring new challenges and opportunities for the global aviation system. New Southern Sky is our implementation programme to realise the safety, environmental, social and economic potential of these technologies by integrating them into the New Zealand aviation system. This information is the most recent available at the end of September 2026. It is subject to change and should not be relied upon for planning purposes.

PSR & MSSR radar replacement

Three new co-located Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) and Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) systems are being installed at Christchurch International Airport, Rua-O-Te-Whenua in Auckland, and on Wellington’s Hawkins Hill.

Airways’ existing three PSRs and six secondary surveillance radars are being decommissioned.

MSSR is a contingency for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), New Zealand’s main surveillance system, in the unlikely event of an outage of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) it relies on. The PSR and MSSR radars will create a new contingency surveillance system with increased system resilience, along the main trunk (Auckland-Wellington-Christchurch).

Project status

  • Installation of the new system is complete at Christchurch International Airport and went live in November 2025.
  • The existing Hawkin’s Hill radar site in Wellington was deconstructed in April 2025, with the new system having completed optimisation. It is expected to be commissioned in early-2027.
  • The radar has been installed at Rua-o-te-whenua in Auckland and optimisation has commenced. The new system is currently expected to be commissioned in early-mid 2027. 

DVOR/DME installation

Airways is progressing with the installation of Doppler VHF Omni Directional Range (DVOR) and Distance Measuring Equipment DME at eight sites throughout New Zealand.

The installation of these ground-based navigation aids (GBNAs), forms part of the network of technologies which provide a back-up to Airways’ core air navigation and surveillance systems, in the event of a loss of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) navigation capability.

DVOR/DME are GBNA that enable aircraft to complete their approach to an aerodrome and for navigation enroute between aerodromes. They enable aircraft to land safely in lower visibility, increasing safety and efficiency at airports where they are installed. The installation of DVOR/DME ensures a minimum operating network (MON) throughout New Zealand, providing contingency in the unlikely event of a GNSS outage.

DVOR/DME are being installed at the airports in Kaitaia, Whangarei, Tauranga, Taupo, Hokitika, Westport, Alexandra and Timaru.

Only five new installation sites were initially proposed – with three to be funded by Airways and two by the Ministry of Transport. However, the addition of three further MoT funded sites completes New Zealand’s MON. This proves a greater level of coverage and addresses concerns that a more limited network would not allow emergency medical helicopter services to continue operating.

Current project status

  • The DVOR/DME equipment has been secured and is in New Zealand.
  • Construction is complete at Timaru and progressing at Alexandra.
  • Airways is currently expecting the Timaru site to be commissioned in 2026, with all eight sites completed by mid-2028.