AIANZ Vice President raises safety concerns over proposed Agricultural Drone deregulation

The Aviation Industry Association of New Zealand has raised concerns about recent proposals to deregulate the use of agricultural drones, following comments made by AIANZ Vice President Dr Isaac Henderson on a national radio podcast.

Speaking about a joint announcement from the Associate Minister of Transport and the Minister for Regulation, Isaac welcomed the intent to modernise aviation rules, but cautioned against treating large agricultural spray drones as a “low‑risk” activity. While smaller drones used for mapping and surveying may present lower risks, spray drones can weigh up to 150kg and carry significant safety and environmental hazards if not operated correctly.

Isaac highlighted two key risk areas: aviation safety and environmental impact. These include the potential for serious injury or property damage in the event of a failure, particularly near roads or populated areas, as well as risks associated with spray drift and atmospheric inversion layers that can unintentionally damage neighbouring high‑value crops.

AIANZ supports reform that makes the regulatory system more fit for purpose, especially for farmers operating on their own land. However, Isaac emphasised that deregulation is not the answer. Instead, the Association has long advocated for the introduction of a licensing and ratings system for drone operators—similar to manned aviation—which would reduce regulatory burden while maintaining essential safety and environmental standards.

“A smarter system would replace complex organisational certification with clear training, competency and licensing requirements for individuals,” Isaac said, noting that this approach could unlock productivity while managing risk to an acceptable level.

AIANZ looks forward to engaging with government and regulators to ensure that future drone rules are developed with appropriate industry consultation and reflect the realities of modern agricultural aviation.

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