Flying Drones Commercially in New Zealand — What CDANZ Members Should Know

Operating a drone for commercial purposes in New Zealand can open many opportunities — but it also comes with clear legal and safety responsibilities. At CDANZ, we want our members to succeed — legally, safely, and professionally.

Regulatory Basics: No Separate “Commercial” Rulebook

In New Zealand, there isn’t a distinct “commercial-only” rulebook for drones. Instead, all unmanned aircraft — recreational or commercial — must follow the rules set by the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA).

That means before you plan a job, you first need to check whether your proposed flight meets the standard rules under Part 101 – Rules for Drones. 

What Part 101 Allows — “Standard” Drone Use

Under Part 101, drones may be flown (subject to conditions) if they: 

• Have a take-off weight of 25 kg or less. 

• Are kept within the operator’s visual line of sight (VLOS) at all times — no relying solely on FPV cameras or monitors.

• Fly below 120 metres (400 ft) above ground level.

• Operate in daylight only (unless a “shielded operation” — e.g. close to a building or structure — applies). 

• Avoid restricted airspace: stay out of controlled zones near aerodromes/airfields unless appropriate permissions are obtained. This typically means staying at least 4 km away from aerodromes/helipads (unless using an approved procedure).

• Take all practicable steps to minimise risk to people, property, and other aircraft — including gaining consent before flying over private land, people, or property. 

For many commercial tasks (like small-scale aerial photography, basic surveying or mapping, media work, site inspections, and more), operating within Part 101 may be sufficient — provided you respect these rules.

When You Need More: Enter Part 102 Certification

If your planned operations cannot comply with Part 101 restrictions — for example: heavy drones, higher-risk jobs, flights at night (unshielded), flying over people or property without consent, or entering controlled airspace — you need a formal certification under Part 102 – Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certification. 

To obtain Part 102 certification, an operator must submit a detailed operational plan (often called an “Exposition”) outlining how risks will be managed: maintenance, pilot training, safety procedures, airspace compliance, incident reporting, and more.

Once certified, operators may be granted permissions to fly in ways not allowed under Part 101 — which might include heavier drones, certain restricted airspace, or other specialised commercial tasks.

What Commercial Drone Operators Should Always Do

As a commercial drone operator (or aspiring one), here are key practices to follow:

• Understand and comply with the applicable Part 101 rules before each flight — weight, sight-line, altitude, daylight, airspace clearance, and property consent.

• Check airspace and location restrictions carefully — use tools/maps (such as those provided by CAA or airspace-management authorities) to confirm there are no restricted zones, controlled airspace, or aerodromes nearby.

• Where your operation exceeds Part 101 limits, plan for Part 102 certification — don’t assume “commercial = allowed.” Advanced operations require formal approval with documented risk-management.

• Respect privacy and property rights — especially when flying over private land, near people, or over sensitive sites. Consent may be required.

• Maintain professionalism, safety, and accountability — well-maintained aircraft, trained pilots/operators, and adherence to safety protocols are not optional.

Why CDANZ Matters

At CDANZ, we believe commercial-drone operators should set the standard for safety, compliance, and professionalism. That means:

• Helping members understand when standard rules are enough — and when Part 102 certification is needed.

• Promoting safe and responsible drone use that protects the public, property owners, and the broader community.

• Supporting members in navigating compliance, training, operational planning, and best practices.

• Advocating for clear, fair, risk-based regulation that enables advanced drone work — without compromising safety or trust.