New Zealand and space law

New Zealand and space law

We have laws governing our activities and conduct here on Earth but what about outer space?

International space law expert Dr Maria A. Pozza is one of New Zealand’s first lawyers dedicated to providing specialist regulated legal services for activities pertaining to outer space and she visits the University of Auckland this month for a public lecture.

Current treaties hold nation states accountable under international law to uphold space security and international relations. New Zealand has yet to implement domestic law reflecting its international legal obligations in regard to space law.

Dr Pozza will talk on New Zealand’s position in regard to space law, its obligations under international law, and the country’s future role in outer space.

“New Zealand is going to play an important role within the commercial space sector,” Dr Pozza says. “While this will be an exciting time for New Zealand and business innovation, domestic legislation needs to be considered.”

Dr Maria A. Pozza gained her PhD in Law and Politics at the University of Otago specialising in space law and international relations.

In 2013, she was awarded a visiting Lauterpacht Fellowship from the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law at University of Cambridge UK and has also been a visiting Research Fellow at the London institute of Space Law and Policy.

Her expertise has been called upon by a number of institutions, and she has been the recipient of the Peace and Disarmament Education Trust award, among other awards.

Dr Pozza is based at Helmore Ayers Lawyers in Christchurch where she provides legal services in both general New Zealand laws as well as international space law, aviation law, UAVs, cyber law, and general international law.

ENDS

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