# Drone laws in New Zealand

> Structured, citation-backed drone regulation information for New Zealand, published by Drone Assistant from official sources. Every claim below links to the official material it came from. This is not legal advice, coverage is not exhaustive, and the linked official source governs.

> Limited guide. Drone Assistant's coverage of New Zealand is still under review, so this page summarises only the published rules we can cite to an official source. It is not a complete statement of New Zealand's drone law; check the linked sources or ask the assistant about your own flight.

Canonical page: [https://droneassistant.com/drone-laws/new-zealand](https://droneassistant.com/drone-laws/new-zealand)

This Markdown file is a machine-readable representation of that page. It is generated from the same published data; it is not a separate content source.

## Regulatory framework

- Jurisdiction: New Zealand
- Responsible aviation authority: [Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA NZ)](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/)
- Framework type: standalone national framework
- Published rules held for this jurisdiction: 258

New Zealand operates a standalone national framework: the rules below are set nationally.

Legal status is stated for every rule below: binding law, AMC/GM (acceptable means of compliance and guidance material), authority guidance or other non-binding material. Guidance is never a statutory maximum in itself.

## Registration and pilot requirements

### Registration

- Question: Do I need to register my drone in New Zealand?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: Whether a drone or its operator must be registered before flying, and under which threshold.

Registration in New Zealand depends on the aircraft and the operation: it applies once the published conditions below are met, each cited to the rule that sets it.

Rules behind this answer:

- **Aircraft Registration and Marking Requirements** (102.13(b)(3)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. An unmanned aircraft operated under a Part 102 certificate must be registered and display identification markings in accordance with Part 47 if the Director determines it is necessary in the interests of aviation safety. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_102_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Exemption from Aircraft Registration** (101.5) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. Unmanned aircraft, kites, rockets, parasails, and gyrogliders are exempt from the aircraft registration requirements of Part 47. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_101_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Exemption from other Civil Aviation Rules** (102.17(b)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A Part 102 certificate holder is exempt from complying with Civil Aviation Rules Parts 12, 19, 21, 26, 39, 43, 47, 61, 63, 66, 67, 91, 92, 93, 95, 115, 119, 129, 133, and 137, unless their approved exposition specifies otherwise. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_102_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Exemption from standard aircraft registration** (101.5) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. Unmanned aircraft, kites, rockets, parasails, and gyrogliders are exempt from the standard aircraft registration requirements of Part 47. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_101_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Registration and marking of Part 102 unmanned aircraft** (102.13(b)(3)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. An unmanned aircraft operated under a Part 102 certificate must be registered and display identification markings in accordance with Part 47 if the Director determines it is necessary in the interests of aviation safety. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_102_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Required contents of the operator exposition** (102.11(b)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. The operator exposition must address key operational matters, including personnel responsibilities, physical locations, a hazard register with risk mitigations, reporting procedures, training requirements, aircraft specifications, maintenance procedures, and inflight procedures. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_102_Consolidation.pdf)

Limitations of this coverage:

- 5 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-08-25.

### Remote pilot competency

- Question: What training do I need to fly a drone in New Zealand?
- Answer state: Yes
- Scope: What training, examination or proof of competency a remote pilot must hold.

Proof of competency is required. Published rules in New Zealand require the remote pilot to hold the competency described below before operating.

Operating categories distinguished by the published rules: part 102.

Rules behind this answer:

- **Approved Functions for Pilot Qualifications and Instruction** (101.202) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. The specified functions of an approved person or organisation under Civil Aviation Rule 101.202 include issuing a pilot qualification for operating remotely piloted aircraft, appointing persons to give instruction to operators of remotely piloted aircraft, and authorising a person to notify the aeronautical information service provider, for the issue of a NOTAM, of remotely piloted aircraft operations. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_101_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Personnel notification and compliance** (102.21(b)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. The certificate holder must ensure that all operators and other personnel involved in operations conducted under the certificate are notified of and comply with the certificate conditions, Part 101, and the exposition. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_102_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Required contents of the operator exposition** (102.11(b)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. The operator exposition must address key operational matters, including personnel responsibilities, physical locations, a hazard register with risk mitigations, reporting procedures, training requirements, aircraft specifications, maintenance procedures, and inflight procedures. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_102_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Approval for In-House Pilot Training and Assessment** (Competency/Currency) — guidance / non-binding material; national rule; Authority guidance — not binding law. CAA NZ requires operators seeking to conduct in-house pilot training or Operational Competency Assessments (OCAs) to demonstrate that their instructors have appropriate skills and experience, such as prior experience as a UA flight instructor and examiner. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/advisory-circulars/ac102-1.pdf)
- **Assessment of Prime Person Knowledge and Competency** (The interview) — guidance / non-binding material; national rule; Authority guidance — not binding law. CAA NZ states that a prime person does not need to be an unmanned aircraft pilot and does not require aviation experience, but does need a practical understanding of the relevant risks and of relevant aviation concepts, and that the prime person's knowledge is evaluated during the CAA's assessment process. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/drones/regulations/part-102-certification-for-drones/how-to-be-a-prime-person/)
- **Battery Maintenance and Testing Programmes** (Section 7, Paragraph 59) — guidance / non-binding material; national rule; Authority guidance — not binding law. CAA NZ recommends that operators establish and implement battery maintenance and testing programmes, particularly for lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries, including safe charging and disposal methods. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/advisory-circulars/ac101-1.pdf)
- **Battery Maintenance and Testing Programs** (Section 7, Paragraph 59) — guidance / non-binding material; national rule; Authority guidance — not binding law. CAA NZ recommends that operators establish and implement battery maintenance and testing programs, particularly for lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries, including safe charging and disposal methods. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/advisory-circulars/ac101-1.pdf)
- **Emergency Procedure Training and Exposition Documentation** — guidance / non-binding material; national rule; Authority guidance — not binding law. CAA NZ requires certified operators to include outlines or links to their emergency training plans and testing procedures in their exposition document. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/advisory-circulars/ac102-1.pdf)

Limitations of this coverage:

- Binding law and official guidance disagree on pilot_competency.competency_required; the binding position is published.
- Binding law and official guidance disagree on pilot_competency.training_required; the binding position is published.
- 5 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-08-28.

## Operating rules

### Altitude limits

- Question: What is the maximum drone altitude in New Zealand?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: The general height limit that applies to drone flights, and what changes it.

Drone flights in New Zealand are held to a published general height limit of 121.92 m AGL. The limit is not absolute: the published conditions that change it are cited below.

Published figures:

- General height limit: 121.92 m (binding law)
- Reference datum: AGL (binding law)

What changes the answer:

- Flight altitude at or below 400 ft (altitude)

Rules behind this answer:

- **Low Flying Zone Vertical Limits** (71.163(d)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. The vertical limits of a designated low flying zone must extend from the surface of the earth up to a height of 500 feet. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_071_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Maximum altitude limit** (101.207(b)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person must not operate a remotely piloted aircraft above 400 feet above ground level unless they comply with the conditions and requirements specified in a transport instrument. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_101_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Shielded operations in controlled airspace** (2.7) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person conducting a shielded operation with an unmanned aircraft in controlled airspace must not exceed the height of the shielding object by more than 33 feet. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/transport-instruments/CATI-101-1.pdf)
- **Shielded Operations in Controlled Airspace and Near Aerodromes** — guidance / non-binding material; national rule; Authority guidance — not binding law. The CAA NZ states that pilots may conduct shielded operations within controlled airspace and within 4km of an aerodrome (outside its boundary) provided they comply with the distance and height criteria specified in CATI 101-1. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/drones/flying-your-drone-safely/)
- **Shielded Operations Within 4km of Aerodromes** (52(b)) — guidance / non-binding material; national rule; Authority guidance — not binding law. CAA NZ states that to conduct a shielded operation within 4km of an aerodrome without prior authorization, there must be a physical barrier between the drone and the aerodrome that is higher than the drone to prevent it from flying towards the aerodrome. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/advisory-circulars/ac101-1.pdf)

Limitations of this coverage:

- Binding law and official guidance disagree on altitude.airport_related_limit; the binding position is published.
- Binding law and official guidance disagree on altitude.conditional_limits; the binding position is published.
- Binding law and official guidance disagree on altitude.structure_exception; the binding position is published.
- 2 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-08-28.

### Night operations

- Question: Can I fly a drone at night in New Zealand?
- Answer state: No
- Scope: Whether flying at night is allowed, and which lighting or authorisation applies.

No. A published rule in New Zealand prohibits night operations for the operations covered here.

Rules behind this answer:

- **Night operations** (101.211) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person must not operate a remotely piloted aircraft or free flight model aircraft at night unless they comply with the circumstances and conditions specified in a transport instrument. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_101_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Night Operations Restriction** (2.11(a)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person must not operate a remotely piloted aircraft at night unless the operation is conducted indoors or as a shielded operation. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/transport-instruments/CATI-101-1.pdf)
- **Requirement for Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate** (102.9(a)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person must apply for and obtain an unmanned aircraft operator certificate before operating an unmanned aircraft other than in accordance with Part 101. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_102_Consolidation.pdf)

Limitations of this coverage:

- Binding law and official guidance disagree on night_operations.lighting_requirement; the binding position is published.
- 1 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-08-25.

### Operational authorisation

- Question: When does a drone operation need authorisation in New Zealand?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: When an operation needs prior authorisation, and how that authorisation is obtained.

Whether an operation in New Zealand needs prior authorisation depends on the operational category, risk class or location: the published triggers below decide it.

Published figures:

- Application model: permit (binding law)

Operating categories distinguished by the published rules: part 102.

Rules behind this answer:

- **Applicability of Part 102** (102.3) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. Civil Aviation Rule Part 102 applies to a person who operates an unmanned aircraft other than in accordance with Part 101, and to a person who operates an unmanned aircraft in accordance with Part 101 and who wishes to apply for an unmanned aircraft operator certificate. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_102_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Application Process and Fees** (102.9(c)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. An applicant for an unmanned aircraft operator certificate must submit an application to the Director in accordance with section 73 of the Act and pay the specified fee. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_102_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Application Requirements for Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate** (102.9(c)-(d)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. An application for an unmanned aircraft operator certificate must be submitted to the Director with the appropriate fee, and must include the applicant's name, New Zealand address, operations specification details, and an exposition. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_102_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Approval Required for Specified UAS Functions** (101.202) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. The specified functions for which the Director approves an approved person or organisation under Civil Aviation Rule 101.202 include issuing a pilot qualification for operating remotely piloted aircraft and appointing persons to give instruction to operators of remotely piloted aircraft. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_101_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Approval requirements for aircraft between 15 kg and 25 kg** (2.15(a)(2)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person must not operate a remotely piloted aircraft with a gross mass between 15 kg and 25 kg unless the aircraft and its modifications are constructed, inspected, approved, and operated under the authority of an approved person or organisation. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/transport-instruments/CATI-101-1.pdf)
- **Approved Person or Organisation Functions** (101.202) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. In Subpart of Civil Aviation Rule Part 101, an approved person or organisation is a person or organisation having appropriate expertise in the design, construction or operation of remotely piloted aircraft, or appropriate knowledge of airspace designations and restrictions, and who has been approved by the Director to perform one or more specified functions. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_101_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Authorisation for Drones Between 15kg and 25kg** (101.202) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. The specified functions of an approved person or organisation under Civil Aviation Rule 101.202 include authorising the construction or modification of remotely piloted aircraft greater than 15kg (but not greater than 25kg), inspecting and approving the construction of such aircraft, and authorising their operation. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_101_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Authorized operations under Part 102 certificate** (102.17(a)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. The holder of an unmanned aircraft operator certificate must only perform the operations specified in their accompanying operations specification. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_102_Consolidation.pdf)

Limitations of this coverage:

- Binding law and official guidance disagree on operational_authorisation.risk_assessment; the binding position is published.
- 1 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-08-28.

## Airspace and geographical zones

### Aerodromes and controlled airspace

- Question: Can I fly a drone near an airport in New Zealand?
- Answer state: No
- Scope: What permission or distance applies around aerodromes and in controlled airspace.

No aerodrome permission of this kind is imposed in New Zealand for the operations covered here; a published rule states so expressly.

Rules behind this answer:

- **Compliance with transport instrument conditions in controlled airspace** (101.11(b)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person operating an unmanned aircraft in controlled airspace must comply with the conditions and requirements specified in a transport instrument. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_101_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Compliance with Transport Instrument in Controlled Airspace** (101.11(b)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person operating an unmanned aircraft in controlled airspace must comply with the conditions and requirements specified in any applicable transport instrument. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_101_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Compliance with Transport Instruments in Controlled Airspace** (101.11(b)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person operating an unmanned aircraft in controlled airspace must comply with the conditions and requirements specified in any applicable transport instrument. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_101_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Controlled Aerodrome Authorization** (2.3(a)(2)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person must not operate a remotely piloted aircraft within 4 km of a controlled aerodrome unless the operation is authorized by the relevant Air Traffic Control (ATC) unit. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/transport-instruments/CATI-101-1.pdf)
- **Controlled airspace authorization** (101.11(a)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person must not operate an unmanned aircraft, kite, rocket, gyroglider, or parasail in controlled airspace without prior authorisation from the ATC unit responsible for that airspace, unless the operation is a shielded operation. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_101_Consolidation.pdf)
- **Low Flying Zone Vertical Limits** (71.163(d)) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. The vertical limits of a designated low flying zone must extend from the surface of the earth up to a height of 500 feet. [Official source](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_071_Consolidation.pdf)

Limitations of this coverage:

- Binding law and official guidance disagree on airport_airspace.airport_permission; the binding position is published.
- 2 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-08-25.

## Visual line of sight (VLOS)

Requirement (binding law, Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand): Civil Aviation Rule 101.209(e) provides that a person must not operate an aircraft in such a way as to obstruct the person's visual line of sight as specified in a transport instrument. The operative conditions are in CATI 101-1 clause 2.9(b): the operator must at all times maintain visual line of sight of the aircraft, be able to see the surrounding airspace in which the aircraft is operating, and operate the aircraft below the cloud base. Clause 2.9(c) defines visual line of sight as "a straight line along which an observer has a clear view", achievable with corrective spectacles or contact lenses but not with any electronic, mechanical, electromagnetic, optical or electro-optical instrument, or alternatively through a first-person view system together with a trained and competent observer.

- Distance: No fixed VLOS distance
- What that means: No fixed VLOS distance is prescribed. You must remain close enough to maintain the visual contact required by the applicable rule.

- Visual observer: The regime expressly allows the operation to be supported or extended through one or more observers.
  - Legal status: binding law (national)
- First-person view (FPV): CATI 101-1 clause 2.9(c)(2): visual line of sight may be achieved with a first-person view system and a trained and competent observer who maintains visual line of sight of the aircraft, sight of the surrounding airspace in which the aircraft is operating, and direct communication with the person who is operating the aircraft. (binding law)
  - The FPV observer must be trained and competent, must keep the aircraft and the surrounding airspace in sight, and must be in direct communication with the pilot.
  - A separate, different observer duty applies under CATI 101-1 clause 2.3 for unshielded flight within 4 km of an uncontrolled aerodrome: that observer provides additional situational awareness and alerts the pilot to approaching aircraft, and does not substitute for the pilot's own visual line of sight.

Layers that apply:

- National (new-zealand), binding law, Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand: Civil Aviation Rule 101.209(e) provides that a person must not operate an aircraft in such a way as to obstruct the person's visual line of sight as specified in a transport instrument. The operative conditions are in CATI 101-1 clause 2.9(b): the operator must at all times maintain visual line of sight of the aircraft, be able to see the surrounding airspace in which the aircraft is operating, and operate the aircraft below the cloud base. Clause 2.9(c) defines visual line of sight as "a straight line along which an observer has a clear view", achievable with corrective spectacles or contact lenses but not with any electronic, mechanical, electromagnetic, optical or electro-optical instrument, or alternatively through a first-person view system together with a trained and competent observer.
  - Method: Neither Part 101, CATI 101-1 nor AC101-1 publishes a numeric maximum VLOS distance or a calculation method. The requirement is expressed functionally as a clear unaided view of the aircraft and the surrounding airspace.

VLOS sources:

- [Civil Aviation Rules Part 101 (CAA consolidation, 22 December 2025), rules 101.207 and 101.209; CATI 101-1 (Civil Aviation Transport Instrument, initial issue, in force 22 December 2025), clause 2.9; AC101-1 Revision 2 (guidance)](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/transport-instruments/CATI-101-1.pdf) — Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand; binding law, last verified 2026-09-07

## Official sources

- [Civil Aviation Rules Part 102 — Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certification (consolidation)](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_102_Consolidation.pdf) — Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand; National binding rule — binding law; last verified 2026-09-27
- [Civil Aviation Rules Part 101 — Gyrogliders and Parasails, Unmanned Aircraft (including Balloons), Kites, and Rockets — Operating Rules (consolidation)](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_101_Consolidation.pdf) — Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand; National binding rule — binding law; last verified 2026-09-27
- [Civil Aviation Rules Part 71 — Designation and Classification of Airspace (consolidation)](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/consolidations/Part_071_Consolidation.pdf) — Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand; National binding rule — binding law; last verified 2026-09-27
- [Civil Aviation Transport Instrument (CATI) 101-1 — technical standards for Part 101 operations](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/transport-instruments/CATI-101-1.pdf) — Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand; National binding rule — binding law; last verified 2026-09-27
- [CAA NZ — Flying your drone safely](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/drones/flying-your-drone-safely/) — Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand; Authority guidance — not binding law; last verified 2026-09-26
- [Advisory Circular AC101-1 — Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems under 25 kg operating under Part 101](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/advisory-circulars/ac101-1.pdf) — Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand; Authority guidance — not binding law; last verified 2026-09-25
- [Advisory Circular AC102-1 — Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certification](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/advisory-circulars/ac102-1.pdf) — Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand; Authority guidance — not binding law; last verified 2026-09-20
- [CAA NZ — How to be a prime person (Part 102)](https://www.aviation.govt.nz/drones/regulations/part-102-certification-for-drones/how-to-be-a-prime-person/) — Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand; Authority guidance — not binding law; last verified 2026-09-26

## Verification

- Sources last verified: 2026-08-28
- Page built: 2026-10-07
- Regulations change. Where a statement says a value is unverified or not published, that describes the official material reviewed so far, not a finding that no such rule exists; please reproduce such caveats as caveats.
- A rule shown here applies to this jurisdiction and to the operation described. Do not generalise it to other countries or to other categories of operation.
- Site map for agents: [https://droneassistant.com/llms.txt](https://droneassistant.com/llms.txt)