On May 17 2023 the Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications of New Zealand issued a Statement of Government Policy for radiocommunications which aims to have competition in the provision of communications services and take International Radio Regulations into account in licensing and spectrum planning. Notably in the Directions, under clauses 8 and 9, new radio licenses will not be granted for the following frequencies until the Government is able to make a final decision on their long-term uses:
184 MHz – 210 MHz; 1427 MHz – 1525 MHz; 1730 MHz —1740 MHz; 1825 MHz – 1835 MHz; 1900 MHz – 1910 MHz; 2370 MHz – 2395 MHz; and 5875 MHz – 5925 MHz;
Exceptions may be made and licenses may be issued if necessary for the following purposes:
To maintain coverage of services provided by existing licensees;
To facilitate, through short-term licenses, the transition of existing licensed services to alternative frequencies;
To demonstrate, through short-term licenses and subject to the protection of existing licensed services, the operation of new technologies; or
To facilitate, through short-term licenses and subject to existing licensed services, the use of this spectrum for specific short-term events