The Ministry of Health’s Office of Radiation Safety is responsible for regulating ionising radiation safety legislation in New Zealand. For information about non-ionising radiation, including on 5G networks, please visit Non-ionising fields on Health New Zealand's website.
Who we are
The Office of Radiation Safety, part of the Ministry of Health, administers the Radiation Safety Act 2016 and the Radiation Safety Regulations.
The purposes of the Act are to:
- establish a framework to protect the health and safety of people and protect the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation, while allowing for the safe and beneficial use of ionising radiation, and
- enable New Zealand to meet its international obligations relating to radiation protection, radiation safety and security, and nuclear non-proliferation.
Most of the functions, duties and powers under the Act are the responsibility of the Director for Radiation Safety (the Director). The Office of Radiation Safety supports the Director in carrying out these functions and duties, ensuring that ionising radiation practices in New Zealand are safe, secure, and compliant.
The current Director is Dr Andreas Markwitz.
For more information, refer to our page on Radiation safety legislation.
Director's functions
The Director for Radiation Safety is the statutory decision-maker under the Act and is responsible for:
- granting licences and consents for radiation sources and practices, including source licences, use licences, and consents for import and export of radioactive material
- maintaining the national register of controlled radiation sources, ensuring accurate records of all sources in New Zealand
- issuing codes of practice and carrying out 5-yearly reviews
- taking enforcement actions where necessary to ensure compliance with the Act.
In addition to supporting the Director, the Office of Radiation Safety:
- acts as New Zealand’s competent authority and national contact point under various international treaties, conventions, and regulations
- oversees the provision of authoritative advice to Government and the public regarding all matters associated with ionising radiation
- manages other matters relating to ionising radiation on behalf of the Government, including the environmental radiation monitoring program and maintaining a capability to respond to radiological emergencies.
Find the Office of Radiation Safety’s contact details on the contact details page.
