Published New Zealand prices for drone spraying run from about $40 to $250 a hectare. Targeted spot spraying is often charged by the hour, at about $300 to $650 an hour, usually with a minimum charge.
The headline rate is only part of it. Minimum charges, travel, water rate and whether chemical is included can change the total a lot, especially on small jobs. Compare total job cost, not $/ha.
We’re independent: we don’t sell spraying. These are the prices operators and dealers have published themselves, labelled so you can see who said what.
What NZ operators publish
Indicative only. Actual cost and productivity depend on area, terrain, application rate, access, travel, weather and operator.
Sources: SkySeed Drones Operator; Aerotrax Operator; DroneTrust and Aerolab Vendor (both sell drones or training to would-be operators); AgriUAS Operator. Most don’t say whether GST is included.
Hourly rates and minimum charges
| Source | Hourly rate (spot / targeted work) | Minimum charge | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerotrax | From $450 an hour | $500 | Operator |
| DroneTrust / Aerolab | $450–$650 an hour | Not stated | Vendor |
| Ferntech | Around $300 + GST an hour, plus travel, chemical and call-out | Not stated | Vendor (dealer) |
| SkySeed Drones | Not stated | About $250–$350 for small jobs | Operator |
| AgriUAS | Not stated | $250–$350 call-out | Operator |
Indicative only. Actual cost and productivity depend on area, terrain, application rate, access, travel, weather and operator.
What changes the price
- Per hectare or per hour. Blanket spraying of a paddock is usually priced per hectare. Spot spraying scattered weeds on steep faces is slower and usually priced per hour.
- Minimum charges. Small jobs often hit the minimum, so the effective price per hectare is much higher.
- Travel. Some operators charge per kilometre. Aerotrax publishes $1.70/km Operator.
- Water rate. More water per hectare means more refills and more flying. Aerotrax adds $1 per litre above 50 L/ha Operator.
- Terrain and block shape. Steep, broken or scattered blocks take longer than open, even ground.
- What you’re spraying. Dense woody weeds such as gorse need more time and product than a light pasture spray.
- Chemical. Check whether it’s included. AgriUAS describes its prices as “all-inclusive”; Ferntech lists chemical as extra. Some farmers supply their own. Ask whether the quote is “all-in” or “application only”.
- Small-block surcharges. Aerotrax adds $10/ha for jobs under 10 ha.
- GST. Most published prices don’t say. Check before comparing.
Why total job cost matters more than $/ha
An illustration using one operator’s published rates (Aerotrax, checked September 2026) Operator. It shows how the same rate card produces very different effective prices. It is not a quote, and other operators price differently.
| Job A: small block | Job B: larger block | Job B with more water | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 6 ha | 40 ha | 40 ha |
| Rate | $55 + $10 small-job surcharge = $65/ha | $55/ha | $55/ha + $50/ha (100 L/ha, i.e. 50 L over) |
| Application | $390 | $2,200 | $4,200 |
| Travel (80 km at $1.70) | $136 | $136 | $136 |
| Total (excl. chemical, GST unstated) | $526 | $2,336 | $4,336 |
| Effective price per hectare | about $88/ha | about $58/ha | about $108/ha |
Same operator, same headline rate: the small job works out about 50% dearer per hectare, and doubling the water rate nearly doubles the application cost. That is why a quote for your block is the only reliable number.
Indicative only. Actual cost and productivity depend on area, terrain, application rate, access, travel, weather and operator.
How does it compare with a helicopter or ground sprayer?
Helicopter and ground sprayer prices: Quote dependent. We couldn’t find credible, current published NZ prices, so we don’t publish estimates.
- A helicopter operator says helicopters cost more per hour but are “extremely efficient on a per-hectare basis when spraying large areas”, while drones cover ground more slowly (Central Heliwork, Sep 2025) Operator.
- Farmers Weekly, reporting on a Canterbury drone business, described drone spraying as “a similar pricing to a helicopter, but more accurate, particularly around the edges” (Farmers Weekly, Aug 2024) Media.
- One drone operator says it can spray “most things at 25% the water rate of a helicopter operator” (Drone Spray) Operator.
See the full comparison: Drone vs helicopter vs ground spraying.
When a drone is likely good value, and when it isn’t
Often good value
• Steep, wet or awkward ground where the alternative is slow or impossible
• Scattered weeds where spot spraying saves chemical
• Jobs big enough to clear the minimum charge
• Low water-rate products allowed by the label
• When timing matters and a drone is available sooner
Often not good value
• Tiny jobs dominated by the minimum charge and travel (unless combined with a neighbour’s)
• Large, flat, open paddocks where a ground rig is efficient
• Very large areas better suited to a helicopter
• Products that need high water volumes
• Remote sites with high travel costs
Compliance is part of the price
Legitimate drone spraying carries real compliance costs, and they’re worth paying for:
- CAA Part 102 certificate. Spraying agrichemicals from a drone is outside the standard Part 101 rules, so the operator currently needs a Part 102 Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate. See Drone Laws in New Zealand: Part 101 vs Part 102.
- Pilot ratings. CAA guidance expects agricultural drone pilots to hold a Pilot Chemical Rating and a UA Agricultural Rating.
- Regional council rules. Many regions require neighbour notification and spray planning. Northland, for example, requires at least 24 hours’ notice to neighbours for most spraying.
- Insurance. Look for public liability cover and, ideally, aerial application liability cover.
A price well below the published ranges can be a sign that some of this is missing.
Currently: Part 102 still applies. Spraying agrichemicals from a drone can’t be done under the standard Part 101 rules. The operator needs a CAA Part 102 certificate (CAA).
Planned reform: the Government announced in August 2026 that routine drone spraying is intended to move to a notification regime, where operators tell CAA in advance instead of holding a certificate. Implementation is expected from mid-2027, after detailed design and engagement. Higher-risk or complex drone operations, and spraying from planes and helicopters, are to stay under existing requirements (NZ Government, 20 August 2026). It is an announcement, not a rule in force. Chemical-handling competency and regional council spray rules still apply (Agricultural Drone Association).
What to have ready for an accurate quote
- The area in hectares, and a farm map or screenshot showing the block.
- The target: weed, pest or disease, and how dense it is.
- The product and rate you plan to use, or whether you want the operator’s advice.
- Access and hazards: power lines, waterways, houses, neighbouring crops.
- Timing: when it needs to be done and how flexible you are on weather.
Not sure whether a drone is right for your job? Tell us what you need done and we’ll help connect you with suitable operators.
Related: Drone vs helicopter vs ground spraying · How many hectares a day? · Spraying gorse on steep country · All farm drone guides
Sources
- Operator Aerotrax: Pricing (undated)
- Operator SkySeed Drones: The true cost of drone spraying in NZ (undated)
- Operator AgriUAS: Comparing drone spraying costs vs traditional methods (Feb 2026)
- Operator Drone Spray NZ: FAQs
- Operator Central Heliwork: Helicopters or drones for crop spraying? (Sep 2025)
- Vendor DroneTrust: Starting an agricultural drone business in NZ (Oct 2025)
- Vendor Aerolab: Getting started
- Vendor Ferntech: Cost of starting a spray drone business in NZ
- Media Farmers Weekly: Bigger drones rise to meet crop spraying challenge (7 Aug 2024)
- Government CAA: Your drone questions answered
- Government NZ Government: drone reform announcement (20 Aug 2026)
- Government Northland Regional Council: Agrichemical spray
General information only. Prices were checked in September 2026 and change over time; always get a written quote.