Apply for a recreational drone concession

Introduction

You can apply to DOC for a concession to operate your drone on public conservation land.

Drones are aircraft. All aircraft taking off, landing, or hovering on public conservation land requires a concession under the Conservation Act 1987.

Before you apply for a drone concession

You should refer to drone use on conservation land to ensure you understand the requirements for operating a drone on public conservation land.

This includes complying with:

Step 1: Identify the purpose for which you want to fly your drone

This page sets out how you can apply to use your drone for recreational purposes. Recreational drone use is when you do not use your drone any commercial gain or reward.

If you are planning to use your drone for other purposes (such as commercial purposes, or research purposes) you should refer to drone use on conservation land.

Step 2: Identify where you want to fly your drone

DOC manages a range of public conservation land. To support drone applicants with understanding where drone use is appropriate, DOC has categorized what types of public conservation land are suitable for drone use.

Public conservation land is split into one of three categories:

Green category

Drone use at this location is likely to be consistent with the Conservation Act 1987. A concession should be granted unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Orange category

Unclear if drone use at this location is likely to be consistent with the Conservation Act 1987. Further assessment is required.

Red category

Drone use at this location is unlikely to be consistent with the Conservation Act 1987. A concession should not be granted unless there are exceptional circumstances.

How to identify conservation land

To identify if the location at which you want to operate is suitable for recreational drone use undertake the following steps:

  1. Use our parks and recreation map to identify the name of public conservation land location(s) you want to operate at.
  2. Refer to the document below to confirm if your proposed locations are consistent with the drone use categories.

Recreational – drone use public conservation land locations (XLXS, 201K)

West Coast public conservation land

We are still working to categorise public conservation land on the West Coast of the South Island. Until this is complete, conservation land in the West Coast is categorised under the orange category.

If the public conservation land location at which you want to fly your drone is not listed in the above spreadsheet, let us know at permissions@doc.govt.nz. 

Step 3: Submit your concession application

The drone use category for the public conservation land location(s) where you want to fly your drone will impact the next steps.

Contact us

For further information or assistance, contact us at permissions@doc.govt.nz.