Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has set aside $NZ2 million to co-operate with Australia in delivering a regional satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS).
SBAS is technology capable of increasing the accuracy of GPS to less than one metre or as low as 100 mm on some devices. Currently, GPS is accurate to 5-10 metres.
The technology has the potential to enable instrument approaches at airports where appropriate technology is not currently installed.
"Budget 2019 set aside almost $2 million for Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) to work with our Australian counterpart, Geoscience Australia, to investigate in more detail ways to deliver SBAS," a LINZ statement reads.
"The funding will allow us to jointly develop specifications and undertake initial procurement processes. Once a preferred provider for delivering SBAS has been identified, approval to release further funding will be sought to implement the technology."
Geoscience Australia received $A160.9 million in the 2018-19 Federal Budget to support the development of an operational SBAS over four years. Trials conducted in Australia between January 2017 and January 2019 are thought to have been highly successful.