Drone Pilot Schools in New Zealand

These schools train drone pilots in New Zealand, from first flights to commercial work. Programs, schedules, and pricing change often, so contact each school directly for current details.

6 schools listed
How to become a pilot

New Zealand has no individual pilot-licensing category for the lower-risk tier of drone flying; Part 101 operators simply self-certify. For Part 102 operations, the CAA issues an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate (UAOC) to the operating organisation rather than to an individual pilot, based on an assessment of the organisation's risk-identification and mitigation documentation, including an application form, compliance matrix, operations manual, and risk assessment.

Completing a course from a Part 141 training organisation is not itself a Part 102 certificate; a separate application to the CAA is required. Individual pilot competency is instead evidenced by an Operational Competency Assessment or a training organisation's own Professional RPAS Pilot Certificate, not a personal government licence.

Regulator
CAA NZ (Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand) ↗ Part 101 / Part 102
About the regulation

Civil drone operation in New Zealand is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA NZ). Part 101 is the default rule covering most flying in New Zealand, both recreational and much commercial use, for drones under 25 kilograms. It requires no personal pilot certificate and no aircraft registration; pilots self-certify compliance with rules like flying within visual line of sight, daylight hours only, a 120 metre ceiling, getting consent before flying over people or property, staying 4 kilometres clear of aerodromes, and yielding to crewed aircraft.

Part 102 covers anything outside those limits, such as agricultural spraying, flying over people without consent, night flying beyond a shielded exception, or drones over 25 kilograms.

Confirm current requirements on the authority's official site before you enroll or fly.

This page is for general orientation and may not reflect the latest regulatory changes. It is not legal advice: confirm current rules, fees, and permitted zones with your country's civil aviation authority before you fly.

A listing in this directory is not an endorsement, accreditation, or certification of any school, and does not indicate affiliation with or vetting by us. Confirm a school's credentials and authorizations directly with the school and the relevant authority.

Schools

NZ Drones

NZ Drones is a CAA Part 102 certified New Zealand drone operator providing aerial photography, mapping, thermal imaging, inspections, and drone pilot training nationwide and internationally.

Porirua
Visit website ↗
info@nzdrones.co.nz +64-27-370-8750

DroneMate

DroneMate offers drone consultancy, pilot training, surveying courses, and Part 101/102 certification for drone operators in New Zealand.

Richmond
Visit website ↗
sales@dronemate.co.nz

Other countries in Oceania

List your school

If you run a drone training program anywhere in Australia or New Zealand, we would like to include it. Send us the school name, website, and a short description; listing is free.

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