Complete 2025 guide to Civil Aviation Authority regulations, compliance obligations, and insurance requirements for drone operations in New Zealand
Failure to comply with CAA requirements can result in fines up to $9,000 for individuals or $90,000 for companies. Insurance may be voided for non-compliant operations.
While insurance is not legally required under Part 101, it is strongly recommended. Operators are personally liable for any damage or injury caused by their drone operations.
While CAA doesn't mandate insurance for Part 102 operations, many factors effectively require it:
Minimal Requirements:
Comprehensive Requirements:
CAA inspectors can request records at any time. Part 102 operators must maintain records for at least 3 years and make them available for inspection. Non-compliance can result in certificate suspension or revocation.
| Violation Type | Individual Fine | Company Fine | Other Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating without Part 102 certificate | $9,000 | $90,000 | Certificate application ban |
| Unregistered aircraft operation | $5,000 | $50,000 | Aircraft confiscation possible |
| Airspace violations | $5,000 | $50,000 | Criminal prosecution possible |
| Failure to report incidents | $3,000 | $30,000 | Certificate suspension |
| Operating outside conditions | $3,000 | $30,000 | Insurance may be voided |
| Inadequate record keeping | $2,000 | $20,000 | Enhanced monitoring |
CAA has signaled stronger enforcement with higher penalty amounts and more frequent prosecutions.
Covers legal costs and fines from compliance failures
Access to aviation lawyers and regulatory experts
Insurer expertise helps identify compliance risks
Access to safety and compliance training programs
Insurers verify CAA certificates before providing coverage
Assessment of compliance with CAA requirements
Regular checks on certificate validity and compliance
Thorough compliance review during claims process
Operating without proper CAA compliance voids insurance coverage and exposes operators to:
Complete this checklist monthly and before any significant changes to your operations. Keep documentation to prove compliance and review requirements annually or when regulations change.
Phone: 0508 4 FLY SAFE (0508 435 972)
Email: info@caa.govt.nz
Airshare website: www.airshare.co.nz
CAA website: www.caa.govt.nz
Approved training organizations
Part 102 examination centers
Regulatory compliance advice
Enforcement action defense
Specialist drone insurance advice
CAA-compliant policy design
Compliance audits and reviews
Operating procedures development
No, Part 101 recreational operations don't require CAA certification. However, you must follow all standard operating conditions and can only fly for personal, non-commercial purposes.
This is illegal and can result in fines up to $9,000 for individuals or $90,000 for companies. Your insurance will also be void, leaving you personally liable for any damages.
Typically 4-8 weeks if you're prepared. This includes study time, theory exam booking, practical test scheduling, and certificate processing. Start early if planning commercial operations.
While CAA doesn't directly mandate insurance, they can impose it as a condition for special authorizations. Many clients and situations effectively require insurance for commercial operations.
Part 101 has minimal record requirements, but it's wise to keep basic flight logs, proof of insurance, and documentation of any incidents for insurance and safety purposes.
Through complaints, incident reports, social media monitoring, airport security, industry reporting, and random inspections. Compliance violations are usually discovered during incident investigations.
Yes, you have rights to appeal CAA decisions through the District Court or seek judicial review. However, it's expensive and time-consuming - prevention through compliance is always better.
Get insurance coverage that meets CAA requirements and protects your operations from regulatory and financial risks