The Civil Aviation Authority's director says the watchdog was confused about its safety role and that confusion contributed to a helicopter crash that killed seven people.
Graeme Harris concedes the authority failed in its regulatory role to scrutinise operators and keep the public safe.
He says staff weren't clear whether their job was to help operators keep flying, or to be a strong regulator.
His comments come after the release of a Transport Accident Investigation Commission report into a 2015 helicopter crash that killed seven people - it found fault with the operator and the Civil Aviation Authority.
Graeme Harris tells Corin Dann the commission's report was particularly confronting but it mirrors their own findings.
