The CEO of Martin Aircraft said the certification from aviation authorities was a big deal, and now meant the jetpack could go from concept to everyday reality.

"For us, it's a very important step because it moves it out of what I call a dream into something which I believe we're now in a position to commercialize and take forward very quickly," Peter Coker told news agency AFP.

Inventor Glenn Martin, founder of Martin Aircraft, reportedly began working on the jetpack in his Christchurch garage over 30 years ago, aiming to create a jetpack suitable for everyday use by ordinary people.

The device has gone through many iterations and upgrades; changing the position of the jetpack's ducts had resulted in a "quantum leap in performance" over the previous prototype, especially in terms of the aircraft's manoeuvrability, according to Coker.

"The jetpack continues to attract interest from potential customers and investors worldwide.

"We are focusing initially on developing the jetpack for use as a first responder vehicle and heavy lift unmanned air vehicle," Coker said.

The approval for manned test flights by New Zealand aviation authorities means the jetpack could be in our hands sooner rather than later.

The Martin Aircraft company is preparing a specialised version of the jetpack designed for the military and first-responder emergency crews such as firefighters, ready for delivery by mid-2014, while a base version for the general public is expected by 2015.

The price of your own personal flying machine is estimated at $131,000 to $219,000, although Mr Coker said the cost was likely to come down over time.

The New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority says test flights of the P12 will be subject to strict safety requirements, and that flights will not be allowed to go higher than 20 feet above the ground or 25 feet above water. 

If everything goes to plan and the jetpacks become widespread, a particular country's regulations will determine whether drivers need a pilot's license to fly one.

Check out a video of the jetpack in action below, and more information can be found at the official website.