Using a drone on public conservation land means:
- launching a drone on public conservation land (taking off)
- hovering over public conservation land
- landing a drone on public conservation land.
Before flying your drone, check what zone an area's in to make sure you have the right permit.
Zones may be different depending on whether you're flying a drone for recreation, research, or commercial use.
Drone operating conditions
The operating conditions manage the adverse effects drones can have on people and wildlife. Drone operators must comply with these conditions, unless they have given express approval not to.
These conditions require drone operators to:
- have read, understood, and comply with the New Zealand Civil Aviation Rules for drone operators
- have logged their flight via the AirShare app or website
- keep their drone a safe and reasonable distance from people and wildlife
- not use their drone to pursue, harass, or intimidate any person, wildlife or marine mammal.
For more information see DOC's drone operating conditions.
How to report inappropriate drone use
If you see or experience inappropriate drone use, you can report it to your local DOC office or call our emergency hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
Inappropriate drone use includes:
- flying over you without your permission
- operating at night
- when you can see the drone but not the drone operator
- operating in a no-fly zone or controlled airspace
- using a drone to pursue, harass, or intimidate people, wildlife or other aircraft.
You can also report inappropriate drone use to the Civil Aviation Authority.
Report a drone safety concern | Civil Aviation Authority
If you feel endangered by the drone, or believe the drone presents a risk to human life or safety, contact the police on 105 or 111.