Allen Reynolds
[FYI request #12332 email] Dear Allen Reynolds
I refer to your request dated 28 February 2020, pursuant to the Official Information Act 1982
(the Act), asking:
In July 2019, at the ‘unveiling’ of the Government's "Taking Flight" plan, Minister
of Transport Phil Twyford was reported as saying “77,000 drones are in use
nationally” – source below
Firstly – did Minister of Transport Phil Twyford say this?
What was the source for the number “77,000”?
What was the definition of “drones”? – the correct term is RPAS; the types are
highly varied
In the context of the event, was Minister of Transport Phil Twyford referring to
just multirotor RPAS?
What is the latest total? Source?
I can confirm that I did say “77,000 drones are in use nationally” on 17 July 2019 during my
release of the
Taking Flight: an aviation system for the automated age (Taking Flight) paper.
The source for this number was the Drone Benefit Study, which was jointly commissioned by
the Ministry of Transport (the Ministry) and the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and
Employment (MBIE) to support the Taking Flight paper. The study is freely available at:
https://www.transport.govt.nz/air/unmanned-aircraft-systems-or-drones/drone-benefit-study/
The methodology for determining the potential number of drones in New Zealand can be found
on page eight of this report. I acknowledge that at the time of the release, I used the
approximate number of “77,000”, however, the full report and accompanying infographics
were
released
at
the
same
time for
anyone
seeking
specific
information.
During the event, when I used the term drones, I was referring to all types of aircraft which
operate without an on-board pilot, including consumer-grade multi-rotor drones. I understand
that the term “drone” may not always be the appropriate term for all applications. However, in
an effort to build public acceptance and understanding of the benefits of the technology, I
believe it is important to use terminology which is familiar and recognised by a wide range of
people.
At the moment, the 77,600 estimate is the latest information we have on drone numbers. Last
year, my officials at the Ministry, along with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the MBIE
commissioned a new survey to be a carried out on drone users in New Zealand. This survey
will provide up-to-date information on how many drones are in use in New Zealand, both for
commercial and recreational purposes. It will also provide insight into how these drones are
distributed across the country, and what their capabilities are. I understand that this report
should be released in due course.
Yours sincerely
Hon Phil Twyford
Minister for Economic Development