New Zealand's government is scrapping the requirement for lower-risk routine drone operations on farms to obtain certification before work begins, Associate Transport Minister James Meager announced, in what he called common-sense reforms to take effect in mid-2027 after detailed design and consultation. Certification can take up to nine months and cost thousands of dollars; under the new rules only a prior notification to the Civil Aviation Authority will be needed.

The change covers routine activities such as spraying pesticides and herbicides and spreading fertiliser, lime, seed and manure across cropland, pasture, orchards, vineyards, market gardens and forests. Pilot certification and chemical-handling competency still apply, certification remains for complex and higher-risk work, and spraying from aircraft and helicopters is unaffected.

The Agricultural Drone Association, whose 130 members are about half of the country's certificated agricultural drone operators, welcomed it. 'This is what we asked for,' said president Craig Simpson, who had raised the issue with the minister two weeks earlier; current regulation had slowed drone uptake and put New Zealand behind the rest of the world.

The Aviation Industry Association, which includes commercial drone operators, said it was blindsided by a rushed reform that lacks fit-for-purpose safeguards and could increase serious injuries, fatalities and environmental damage. Executive officer Tony Michelle said agricultural drones must not become an unregulated pathway for aerial agrichemical application: poorly managed operations can damage neighbouring crops and infrastructure, breach environmental controls and jeopardise the reputation for safe, high-quality primary products that underpins export access. He wants a national standard covering pilot training, competency, chemical handling, maintenance, modifications, reporting and operational practice — proportionate to risk, with licensing and regular competency checks.

Mr Meager rejected concerns about spray drift from inexperienced operators, saying farmers understand the rules and can be trusted to use machinery on their own farms for straightforward operations; draft proposals will go out for consultation and decisions follow scrutiny by the aviation and farming sectors.

Source: Rural News Group