Can you fly your drone in New Zealand?

KEY RULES

1. 01Maximum height is 120 m (400 ft) above ground level, unless flying under the specific conditions set out in CATI: 101-1 section 2.5 (Part 101).
2. 02No drone registration is required under Part 101. No licence is needed for standard daytime flying, but night flying and flying within 4 km of an aerodrome require approved training or a qualification (CATI 101-1).
3. 03Keep the drone in visual line of sight with your own eyes at all times and fly below the cloud base. FPV is only allowed with a trained and competent observer who keeps the drone in sight and is in direct contact with you. Beyond visual line of sight is only allowed in a fully enclosed area the drone cannot escape (CATI 101-1, 2.9).
4. 04Stay at least 4 km from the boundary of any aerodrome, including helipads. Flying closer requires an approved drone pilot qualification (or direct supervision by a holder) — an Australian CASA RePL or a Part 61/149 pilot licence also counts — plus ATC authorisation via AirShare at controlled aerodromes, or at uncontrolled aerodromes the operator's agreement, an observer and max 400 ft. Shielded operations outside the boundary, max 33 ft (10 m) above the shielding object and behind a barrier that would stop the drone, are exempt (CATI 101-1, 2.3).
5. 05In controlled airspace you need an ATC clearance (request via AirShare) unless it's a shielded operation. Do not fly in restricted areas or military operating areas without permission from the administering authority, and never fly in low flying zones (Part 101.7, 101.9). They are shown on AirShare.
6. 06Get consent from the owner or occupier before flying above any property — private or public (e.g. council parks, beaches, lakes).
7. 07Stay at least 150 m horizontally from any point directly above a marine mammal (whales, dolphins, seals) when operating below 600 m above sea level (Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992).
8. 08Flying on conservation land (national parks, reserves, forest parks) requires a permit from the Department of Conservation (DOC). Check DOC's drone zone map: green-zone recreational permits are issued instantly online and valid for one year; orange and red zones are reviewed case by case.
9. 09Night flying only indoors, as a shielded operation, or after a CAA-approved night training course — with lighting showing the drone's orientation, one drone at a time, and a 30-minute shielded night refresher if you haven't flown at night in 90 days (CATI 101-1, 2.11).
10. 10Do not fly over people without their consent
11. 11Give way to all manned aircraft at all times
12. 12Maximum drone weight is 25 kg under Part 101; drones of 15–25 kg need an approved airworthiness inspection and competency assessment. Heavier drones, or operations outside Part 101, require Part 102 certification.

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