The use of lightweight drones or Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), is allowed in most parks and reserves managed by the Council, but there are some important rules and guidelines to follow.
Request permission to fly over Council property
You must have Christchurch City Council's permission to fly:
- Over Council permission-required areas (see map below)
- Over Council roads or buildings
- An RPAS that weighs more than 1.5 kilograms over any Council property.
For Council properties that are not permission-required, you can fly a lightweight drone (1.5 kilograms max) without asking the Council's permission.
Before you fly, check the rules
All RPAS operators must be aware of, and comply with, Civil Aviation Rules at all times.
Most of Christchurch City is located within Civil Aviation Authority controlled airspace.
To provide for safe and legal operations, RPAS operators are referred to the following sources of information:
- Airshare(external link) - An online community with helpful information about using RPAS in New Zealand. Free to register.
- Civil Aviation Rules(external link) - Part 101 and Part 102.
- Civil Aviation (external link)Advisory Circulars(external link) - Explanatory information and examples of how to comply with Civil Aviation Rules.
-
Council 'Drones' and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Policy.
Permission-required areas
All RPAS flights, regardless of weight, must always have permission from the Council for the following areas:
- Heritage and garden parks(external link), and cemeteries.
- Within 10 metres of an open-air public pool or playground, or the boundary of any park.
- The Council's legal road corridor on the coast – Scarborough Boat Ramp to Godley Head, and on Banks Peninsula.
- Over Council property at Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere), Birdlings Flat, Brooklands Lagoon, Travis Wetland, Charlesworth Reserve, McCormack's Bay, South Shore Spit, Bromley Oxidation ponds, Bexley Wetland, Ferrymead Wetland and Linwood Paddock.
- Council roads
The Council may consent to RPAS flights over Council roads once you provide:
- CAA Part 102 certification.
- Evidence of public liability insurance cover and aviation insurance covering the use of the RPAS.
- A flight plan, including a hazard and/or traffic management plan.
- Council buildings
The Council may consent to RPAS flights over Council buildings once you provide:
- CAA Part 102 certification.
- Evidence of adequate safety assessments and controls.
- A flight plan, including a hazard and/or traffic management plan.
Drone permission-required area map
- The below map show Council parks and reserves where you may require Council permission to fly a drone or RPAS.
- Please also check Airshare(external link) for information on Civil Aviation Authority controlled airspace.
Complaints about RPAS and RPAS operators
If there is an urgent risk to public safety, contact the police.
If a drone flies above your property without permission or you feel your privacy has been breached, you can make a complaint to the Privacy Commissioner or the Civil Aviation Authority.
Any breaches of civil aviation rules must be referred to the Civil Aviation Authority.