FAQs

First you need to understand the rules around flying your drone by checking out the Know the rules page and the Civil Aviation Authority website. If you’re planning on operating in controlled airspace you need to request access from Airways (air traffic control) via the AirShare mobile or web app.

AirShare provides drone operators with information about airspace, and access to controlled airspace via the AirShare Pilot app.  Air traffic control also provides separation services by segregating a drone from other traffic in the same vicinity. 

If you are operating within 4km of an aerodrome you need to be:

• A holder of (or under direct supervision of the holder of) a pilot qualification; or
• Under supervision of a remotely piloted aircraft instructor; or
• A holder of a pilot licence or certificate under Part 69 or Part 149

If you are operating more than 4km from an aerodrome you do not need a licence, however you are required to have knowledge of the airspace designations and restrictions in the area you intend to fly. If you are operating under a Part 102 Operator Certificate, the CAA will require that you undertake some training. See more information about the Part 102 certificate here on the CAA website.

If operating under Part 101 you can fly up to a maximum of 400 feet or 120 metres. For a brief overview of how high you can fly and where, please refer to our Know the rules page.

 Under a Part 102 Operator Certificate you may have a variation from the CAA to fly higher in some circumstances.​
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The maximum height you are authorised to operate up to must always be measured from directly below your drone. Caution must be exercised to ensure you do not exceed this height limit, especially when operating in hilly or steep terrain.​
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If you fly away from the slope, the height AGL (above ground level) of your drone may increase rapidly. It is your responsibility to ensure you remain at or below the height authorised in your approval, at all times. See the diagram below:

Please note:  It is your responsibility as the drone operator to read and understand the relevant rules and regulations. ​Please refer to the Drones section of the CAA website.

The Privacy Act applies to drones whenever they are collecting information for commercial purposes. This includes any situation when the camera is active – whether it’s recording or not.  ​

Notification is the most relevant component of the Privacy Act. Drone operators need to take reasonably practicable steps to notify people that camera equipped drones are active in the area, who is responsible for them and what the footage will be used for. This could be as simple as posting a sign, but will be dictated by the situation’s specific circumstances. In some cases it will not be practical.​​

Drone operators also need to make sure they aren’t collecting information in an unfair way, or in a way that intrudes unreasonably on someone’s personal affairs. Notification does not excuse operators from this aspect of the Privacy Act. For example, it would probably be unfair to hover outside someone’s bedroom window while they change – regardless of whether the resident was notified.  ​​

While notification is the most relevant, the other privacy principles (such as those concerning storage, use and disclosure of information) are also relevant to drone use. An overview of the principles is available here. ​​​​

Finally, at least one person in every organisation should undertake the Privacy 101 e-learning module, which gives more detail about the rights and obligations organisations and people have under the Privacy Act. ​

Filming by drone above New Zealand’s roads and particularly highways means you require permission from the Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) before you can fly.​

Waka Kotahi rules state that that unless you have Part 102 certification, you may not fly or film directly above or along NZ highways, even if there is no traffic using the road at the time.​

As the road controlling authority for New Zealand’s 11,000 km of state highways, and adjacent land potentially zoned for roading projects, Waka Kotahi is responsible for permitting any flying in the airspace above these roads.​

Waka Kotahi considers RPAS or drones to be a distraction to road users that may result in or be the cause of an accident, or be a direct hazard to people and vehicles due to misadventure or a malfunction.​

Waka Kotahi’s policy is to not permit non-certificated operations (covered under Part 101 of the CAA Rules) to fly directly above or along the road corridor, or cross over a section of the state highway, or on land potentially zoned for roading project, regardless of whether the highway is open or closed at the time of operation.  ​

To meet Waka Kotahi’s health and safety obligations, this also applies to worksites which are contracted to suppliers by the agency.​

Operators who hold, or are planning to apply for, a Part 102 certificate issued by the CAA who intend to fly above or adjacent to a state highway, should contact Waka Kotahi for permission.​​

Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account an agreed safety plan that will describe how you propose to manage the risks to road users, the state highway network and any contractor or supplier staff and equipment.​