RPAS 2025 Speaker Bio

Steve Smyth

Head of Emerging Technologies Programme

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand  

Steve Smyth served in the Royal Air Force for 30 years, commanding a fighter squadron and subsequently a strategic air base. 

Steve then led the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Introduction into Service programme to upgrade and replace every aircraft and supporting system in the operational fleet.

In July 2014 Steve joined the CAA of New Zealand as Director of the New Southern Sky programme, a decade long modernisation of the New Zealand aviation system.  

In August 2021, Steve took up the role of Director Emerging Technologies Programme. The programme acts as a bridge between the CAA and Industry and spans all emerging aviation technologies that are yet to be certified, including RPAS and AAM.

In April 2025, following restructuring, this role was re-labelled as Head of the Emerging Technologies Programme.