Forestry Drone Services
Storm and windthrow checks, survival counts, thermal hotspot checks after burns, and pre-harvest maps for forest owners and managers across the Waikato and King Country.
Who it is for
- Woodlot owners and farm foresters in the Waikato, King Country and Coromandel
- Forest managers needing a quick look after a storm
- Harvest and roading contractors planning or checking work
- Planting and carbon forestry companies tracking new blocks
Flight overview
- Brief on the block, access, hazards and what you need to see
- Landowner permission and airspace checks arranged before we fly; DOC land needs a DOC permit
- Daylight flights under CAA Part 101 only: daylight, visual line of sight, under 120 m
- RGB mapping or oblique stills, plus a thermal pass with the Matrice 4T where scoped
Deliverables
- Windthrow and storm damage stills or a mapped overview of affected areas
- Establishment survival counts from imagery, with gaps marked for blanking
- Stand health spotting: visual flags for areas worth a ground check
- Thermal hotspot checks after burn-offs and slash fires
- Road, culvert and slip inspection photos
- Pre-harvest and boundary orthomosaic maps
- Repeatable imagery to support carbon reporting (it supports, not replaces, official measurement)
Turnaround
Storm and hotspot checks can often be flown within days, weather allowing. Maps usually land 5–10 business days after flight.
Coverage
Waikato and King Country forests are our home ground, plus the Coromandel and the western Bay of Plenty edge. Wider North Island by arrangement.
Frequently asked questions
How much forest can you cover in a day?
It depends on terrain and what you need. Part 101 means we keep the drone in visual line of sight and under 120 m, so large or steep estates are flown from several launch points or in stages. We scope this honestly at quote.
Can you check for hotspots after a burn-off?
Yes, in daylight. A thermal pass can show warm spots in slash piles or burn areas for your crew to check on the ground. It is a guide for ground checks, not a guarantee a fire is out.
Can a drone replace our carbon or inventory measurement?
No. Our imagery can support carbon reporting and planning with repeatable photos and maps, but it does not replace official plot measurement or ETS requirements.
Can you assess tree health?
We can spot visible signs such as discolouration, dieback or gaps from the air and flag areas worth a ground check. We do not diagnose disease; that needs a forester or pathologist on the ground.
What permissions do you need?
We arrange landowner permission and check the airspace before every job. Flights on or over DOC land need a DOC permit. Forests near aerodromes or controlled airspace may need extra approval, which we flag early.