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Before You Hire a Drone Operator — 12 Things You Should Know

A practical guide for New Zealand businesses, farmers and property owners.

Drones now do jobs that used to need ladders, scaffolding, helicopters or days of walking the property: spraying and spreading, mapping and surveying, inspections, cleaning, and aerial photography and video. Most operators are capable and careful, but quality, legal compliance and value vary. These 12 checks will help you brief the job properly, compare quotes and choose with confidence.

1. Be clear about the job and the result you need

Before you ring around, write down what you want at the end: a spray programme finished, a roof cleaned, a map of a block, a report on a roof or tower, or finished video. Include the location, size, access, timing and any deadline. The clearer the brief, the easier it is to compare quotes like for like.

2. Check which CAA rules the job falls under

In New Zealand, drones are regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority. Many simple jobs can be flown under the Part 101 rules. Work outside those limits, such as agrichemical spraying, drones over 25 kg, flying beyond visual line of sight, or other higher-risk operations, needs a Part 102 operator certificate. Ask the operator which rules they’ll be flying under for your job. If they say Part 102, ask to see their certificate or check CAA’s published list of certificate holders.

3. Ask about airspace near airports and airfields

Parts of New Zealand sit inside controlled airspace or close to aerodromes, heliports and airstrips. A good operator checks this before quoting and arranges any authorisation needed, usually through AirShare. If your site is near an airport, hospital helipad or airstrip, mention it up front.

4. Sort out permission for the land and people underneath

Drone rules require consent from people and property owners before flying over them in many situations. For farm jobs that usually means you, your neighbours and anyone working on the property. For urban jobs it can mean neighbours, tenants or the public. Ask the operator how they’ll handle consent and keep people clear during the flight.

5. Confirm insurance

Ask for proof of public liability insurance that covers drone operations, and check the cover suits the value and risk of your job. For commercial and industrial sites, your own insurer or principal contractor may have specific requirements.

6. Look for relevant experience

A great wedding videographer isn’t automatically the right choice for a roof inspection or a spray job. Ask how many jobs like yours the operator has done, in what conditions, and ask for examples, references or sample outputs.

7. Make sure the equipment suits the task

Different jobs need different drones and sensors: spray tanks and nozzles, spreaders, high-resolution cameras, thermal cameras, or survey-grade positioning. Ask what they’ll use and why, and whether they have a backup if a drone goes down on the day.

8. Agree exactly what you’ll receive

Get the deliverables in writing: number and format of photos, video length and editing, map resolution and file types, report format, or hectares treated with records. Ask who owns the footage and data, and how long the operator keeps it.

9. For spraying and spreading, check the extra requirements

Applying agrichemicals or fertiliser from the air comes with its own obligations. Ask about the operator’s agrichemical training (such as GROWSAFE), how they manage spray drift near waterways, neighbours and sensitive crops, and whether your regional council’s rules require notification or records. Make sure the product is suitable for aerial application.

10. Talk about weather and scheduling

Drones are sensitive to wind and rain, and spraying has tighter weather limits again. Agree how weather delays are handled, how much notice you’ll get, and whether there is any charge for postponed or cancelled days.

11. Get a written quote that shows how the price is built

Operators may charge per hectare, per hour, per day or per job, with travel, set-up or minimum charges on top. A written quote avoids surprises. When comparing, check each quote covers the same scope and deliverables.

12. Cover health, safety and privacy

On farms, construction sites and industrial sites the operator should follow your site’s health and safety requirements and have their own safety plan. For photos and video, especially near homes, ask how they’ll avoid capturing people or neighbouring properties they don’t need to.

A quick checklist

• Written brief: location, size, access, timing, result needed
• CAA rules confirmed (Part 101 or Part 102), certificate seen if relevant
• Airspace checked and any authorisation arranged
• Consent from property owners and people underneath
• Public liability insurance confirmed
• Relevant experience and examples
• Right drone and sensors for the job
• Deliverables, formats and data ownership agreed
• Spraying: training, drift management, council rules
• Weather and postponement terms agreed
• Written quote with all charges
• Health, safety and privacy covered

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the current requirements with the Civil Aviation Authority (aviation.govt.nz), your regional council and your insurer for your situation.

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