Leading New Zealand’s Commercial Drone Industry
Our Mission
UAVNZ - a Division of the Aviation Industry Association (AIANZ)
As a division of the Aviation Industry Association, UAVNZ supports and represents New Zealand’s unmanned aviation industry.
Our membership includes commercial drone operators, as well as the organisations and professionals who support their work across training, maintenance, manufacturing, consulting, research, and related fields.
Advocacy for the Industry
We represent New Zealand’s commercial drone sector with regulators, government, and aviation stakeholders — so your voice is heard where it matters.
Build Public Trust
We help the public understand how drones are used responsibly and productively, supporting long-term social licence.
Shape the Rules
We engage directly in policy and regulatory development to ensure rules are practical, safe, and enable real-world operations.
Connect the Ecosystem
We bring together operators, manufacturers, service providers, and innovators to share knowledge and opportunities.
Raise the Bar
We promote professional standards, best practice, and safe operations — lifting credibility and consistency across the industry.
Grow the Sector
We support the sustainable growth of a world-class uncrewed aviation industry in New Zealand.
Why Join?
-
Commercial uncrewed aviation is shaped by regulation, public perception, and government policy — whether you engage or not.
UAVNZ represents the sector collectively, ensuring industry perspectives are informed, credible, and heard by regulators and decision-makers.You’re not advocating alone.
-
Regulatory change is inevitable. Surprises are optional.
UAVNZ engages early with the Civil Aviation Authority and other agencies, giving members visibility into upcoming changes, consultations, and policy direction before they are locked in.This allows businesses to plan, adapt, and influence — not just react.
-
Membership signals that you operate professionally and responsibly within New Zealand’s aviation system.
It demonstrates commitment to safety, ethical conduct, and industry best practice — strengthening trust with clients, partners, regulators, and the public.In a growing industry, credibility matters.
-
Members help shape the future of uncrewed aviation in New Zealand.
Through consultation, working groups, and collective advocacy, UAVNZ members influence standards, frameworks, and strategic direction for the sector.This is how industry experience translates into better outcomes.
-
UAVNZ connects operators, manufacturers, service providers, engineers, and researchers working in commercial uncrewed aviation.
Members gain access to a network that understands real-world operational, technical, and regulatory challenges — not hobby flying.The right conversations, with the right people.
-
A fragmented industry is easy to overlook. A unified industry is taken seriously.
By joining UAVNZ, members contribute to a coordinated, credible sector that can grow sustainably, attract investment, and operate confidently alongside traditional aviation.Stronger together than apart.
Who Should Join UAVNZ
UAVNZ represents organisations and individuals working in commercial, professional, and research-focused uncrewed aviation in New Zealand.
Commercial Operators
Drone operators delivering services such as inspection, survey, mapping, agriculture, media, emergency response, and specialist operations — operating under Part 101 or Part 102.
Engineering, R&D & Innovation
Engineers, researchers, startups, and technology developers advancing uncrewed systems, autonomy, detect-and-avoid, propulsion, sensing, and data processing.
Government, Research & Education
Agencies, universities, research institutions, and programmes engaged in uncrewed aviation policy, testing, education, and capability development.
Manufacturers & System Integrators
Organisations designing, building, modifying, or integrating uncrewed aircraft, payloads, avionics, power systems, or supporting hardware and software.
Service & Support Providers
Businesses providing training, maintenance, compliance support, data services, insurance, airspace services, software platforms, or operational tooling for the sector..
Future-Focused Entrants
Organisations preparing to enter the commercial uncrewed aviation market and seeking early engagement with industry standards, regulation, and best practice.
