Drone use
Drones are one of the tools Waikato Regional Council uses to collect information safely, accurately and efficiently when undertaking work. All drone flights are carried out by trained and authorised operators in accordance with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) requirements and Waikato Regional Council procedures.
Flights are registered through AirShare, New Zealand's flight planning and information platform for drone operators.
Compliance, monitoring and enforcement (CME)
Waikato Regional Council's use of drones for compliance purposes is governed by relevant legislation and operational procedures. Section 332 of the Resource Management Act 1991 grants authorised officers the powers of entry to "go on, into, under or over any place or structure, except a dwellinghouse, for the purpose of inspection".
Drones may be used to capture photographs and video to help:
- monitor compliance with resource consents
- investigate environmental incidents and complaints
- record site conditions and environmental effects
- support regulatory investigations and enforcement activities.
The information collected is stored securely and used to support council operations, investigations and regulatory decisions. Where appropriate, the information may also be used as evidence in prosecutions or proceedings before the Environment Court and often improves investigation outcomes.
Drones may be used to monitor compliance with resource consents.
Integrated catchment management
Drone imagery is valuable after flood events.
Drones provide a broader view of catchments, helping identify erosion, bank instability, river blockages, vegetation issues, and other changes that may be difficult to see from the ground.
Drone imagery is valuable during and after flood events. It enables rapid assessment of flooding, erosion, sediment movement and land instability across affected areas, helping inform response, recovery and future management decisions. Drone imagery is also used to monitor project outcomes, including planting establishment and survival. It provides a valuable visual record for tracking change over time and communicating project achievements to landowners, communities, partners and funding organisations.
We also use drones to review our flood protection assets as part of our maintenance and renewal programme, looking at areas of damage and taking photos of project progress.
Want to know more?
For more information about drone use for compliance, monitoring and enforcement, email incident.response@waikatoregion.govt.nz or call 0800 800 401.