Drone spraying in New Zealand typically runs at about $65-95 per hectare for broadacre paddock work. Spot spraying and small targeted jobs are usually charged by the hour instead.
That range is a starting point. Two 20-hectare blocks can get quite different quotes, and the difference is almost always down to the block itself.
What pushes the price of drone spraying up?
- Steep or broken country. Flight lines get shorter and the pilot spends more time repositioning.
- Things in the way. Shelterbelts, powerlines, trees and buildings mean slower, more careful work around the edges.
- Small or awkward-shaped blocks. Setting up takes about the same time whether the block is 5 hectares or 50, so on a small one that time is spread over fewer hectares.
- High water rates. A drone carries a set load. The more litres per hectare the job needs, the more often it lands to refill.
- Travel. Remote or one-off jobs often carry a callout or gate-to-gate charge.
What helps keep the cost down?
- Open, regular paddocks with good access for the ute.
- A clear brief before the day: a map of the block, hazards marked and product ready when the operator arrives.
- Lining up work with neighbours, so the operator’s travel and setup covers more hectares. It’s worth asking whether your operator can do this.
How is spot spraying charged?
If you’re after a few patches of gorse or blackberry rather than a whole paddock, expect an hourly rate, often with a minimum callout. Per-hectare pricing doesn’t make much sense when the drone’s only treating a small part of the block.
How do you compare drone spraying quotes?
Compare the total job cost, not the headline rate. Made-up numbers to show the maths: on a 6-hectare block, $70/ha plus a $300 callout comes to $720. $90/ha with no callout comes to $540.
When you’re getting quotes, ask:
- What’s the rate, and is there a minimum charge?
- Is there a travel or callout fee?
- Does the price include the product, or just applying it?
- What happens if the weather cancels the day?
It’s also worth checking the operator is set up properly. The organisation should hold an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate (UAOC) from the CAA. The pilot doing the spraying should hold a Part 102 Drone Pilot Certificate, a Chemical Rating and an Ag Rating, and be inducted onto that organisation’s UAOC. We’ve written more on how to check an operator.
Get a quote for your block
Tell us where the block is, roughly how big it is and what you’re applying, and we’ll come back with a price for the whole job.
Request a quote or call 0800 DRONEBOSS.
Frequently asked questions
How much does drone spraying cost per hectare in New Zealand?
Typically about $65-95 per hectare for broadacre paddock work. Steep country, obstacles, small blocks, high water rates and travel can push a quote higher. Spot spraying is usually charged by the hour.
Is drone spraying cheaper than a helicopter?
On small or awkward blocks it usually is, because drone operators’ minimum charges are much lower. On large, flat, high-volume jobs a helicopter can work out cheaper per hectare. There’s a fuller comparison in Is Drone Spraying Better Than Helicopter Spraying?
How many hectares can a drone spray in a day?
Roughly 40-60 hectares on broadacre country, depending on terrain, paddock layout and the drone. Steep or broken country will be less. See also spraying steep or wet ground with a drone.
Is spot spraying charged per hectare?
Usually not. Spot spraying patches of gorse, blackberry or other weeds is normally charged by the hour, often with a minimum callout.
