Drone and helicopter inspections
Keeping our network safe and reliable
At Vector, we’re committed to ensuring the safety and reliability of our electricity network. Since February 2025, we have used drones and helicopters equipped with cameras and network inspection technology such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to proactively inspect our network and take photographs of our overhead network assets.
LiDAR provides detailed 3D mapping of power lines and vegetation, helping us identify risks with precision and plan maintenance efficiently.
Drones and helicopters will fly over our power lines and associated equipment such as poles to visually inspect them using high-resolution cameras. This will cover one-fifth of our network each year, over five years.
Inspections are being carried out by our contractors Northpower and Omexom.
From July to September, Northpower will be conducting drone surveys in Glen Innes, Howick, East Tāmaki, Māngere and Ōtāhuhu.
From July to September, Omexom will be conducting drone surveys in Westgate, Te Atatū, Dairy Flat, Silverdale, and Rānui.
Take a look at the map below showing the plan of when and where inspections will be taking place over the coming years.
Helicopter survey | Drone survey | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Auckland | Northern | Auckland | Northern | |
1 June 2025 - 31 July 2026 | Zone 1 | Zone 1 | Zone 4 | Zone 4 |
1 June 2026 - 31 July 2027 | Zone 2 | Zone 2 | Zone 3 | Zone 3 |
1 June 2027 - 31 July 2028 | Zone 3 | Zone 3 | Zone 1 | Zone 1 |
1 June 2028 - 31 July 2029 | Zone 4 | Zone 4 | Zone 2 | Zone 5 |
1 June 2029 - 31 July 2030 | Zone 5 | Zone 5 | Zone 5 | Zone |
Planned helicopter inspection dates
Helicopter inspections are planned from mid-September to early November. Use the schedule below to see when inspections are expected and which areas are included in each block.
Some blocks may also need follow-up flights. These are shown separately and may take place after the initial inspection, depending on weather, flying conditions and whether more information is needed.
Dates are indicative and may change due to weather, safety requirements or other unforeseen circumstances.
Locations covered
Dates | Blocks | Locations Covered |
|---|---|---|
Sep 18 - Sep 20 | Block 1 | Algies Bay, Kawau Island, Mahurangi East, Sandspit, Snells Beach, Warkworth |
Sep 21 - Sep27 | Blocks 2, 3, 4 | Dome Forest, Dome Valley, Glorit, Kaipara Flats, Mahurangi Harbour, Mahurangi West, Makarau, Mangakura, Pohuehue, Puhoi, Tauhoa, Waiwera, Warkworth, Wellsford, Wharehine |
Sep 28 - Oct 4 | Blocks 5, 6, 7 | Dome Forest, Dome Valley, Port Albert, Tapora, Tauhoa, Te Arai, Te Hana, Wayby Valley, Wellsford, Whangaripo, Wharehine |
Oct 5 - Oct 11 | Blocks 8, 9, 10 | Big Omaha, Kaiwaka, Leigh, Mangawhai, Matakana, Pakiri, Tawharanui Peninsula, Te Arai, Te Hana, Tomarata, Topuni, Warkworth, Wellsford, Whangaripo, Whangateau |
Oct 12 - Oct 18 | Blocks 11, 12, 13 | Big Omaha, Glen Innes, Glendowie, Kohimarama, Leigh, Matakana, Meadowbank, Mission Bay, Orakei, Point Wells, Remuera, St Heliers, St Johns, Tawharanui Peninsula, Ti Point, Wai O Taiki Bay, Whangateau |
Oct 19 - Oct 25 | Blocks 14, 15, 16 | Ellerslie, Epsom, Greenlane, Mount Eden, Newmarket, One Tree Hill, Onehunga, Parnell, Penrose, Remuera |
Oct 26 - Nov 1 | Blocks 17, 18, 19 | Ellerslie, Epsom, Greenlane, Hillsborough, Manukau Harbour, Mount Roskill, Mount Wellington, One Tree Hill, Onehunga, Penrose, Remuera, Royal Oak, Three Kings |
Nov 2 - Nov 8 | Blocks 20, 21, 22 | Epsom, Mount Eden, Mount Roskill, Royal Oak, Sandringham, Three Kings |
Inspection dates by block
Date | Initial inspection | Follow-up inspection |
|---|---|---|
Sep 18 to Sep 20 | Block 1 | Not scheduled |
Sep 21 to Sep27 | Blocks 2-4 | Not scheduled |
Sep 28 to Oct 4 | Blocks 5-7 | Blocks 1-4 |
Oct 5 to Oct 11 | Blocks 8-10 | Blocks 5-7 |
Oct 12 to Oct 18 | Blocks 11-13 | Blocks 8-10 |
Oct 19 to Oct 25 | Blocks 14-16 | Blocks 11-13 |
Oct 26 to Nov 1 | Blocks 17-19 | Blocks 14-16 |
Nov 2 to Nov 8 | Blocks 20-22 | Blocks 17-22 |
Nov 9 to Nov 15 | Not scheduled | Blocks 17-22 |
We’re using drones and helicopters to carry out faster, safer, and more precise inspections, enabling us to identify risks earlier to help ensure the reliability of our network. Extreme weather events, such as Cyclone Gabrielle, have highlighted the importance of proactive maintenance to minimise disruptions and maintain a reliable power supply for Auckland.
To help us realise these benefits in a responsible way Vector ensures that all of its drone operators comply with the Civil Aviation Rules and are certified under Part 102 of those Rules.
Since February 2025, drone inspections have been carried out by our contractor Northpower, on our behalf, in the following regions:
- Maraetai
- Clevedon
- Waiheke
- Takanini
We also had helicopter inspections that began in February 2025 in Zone 3 as per the map below.
We will keep this webpage updated with the latest schedules and locations.
We’ll share inspection schedules and locations on this webpage, and we’ll also notify local communities using a range of channels such as social media, letters, and email updates.
We appreciate your understanding as we carry out this essential work. These inspections are a critical part of maintaining a reliable and safe power supply for our community.
Why are the inspection timeframes so broad? Can you narrow them down?
We appreciate that the inspection window is broader than you might expect, particularly if you have livestock or would like to be home when inspections take place.
Inspections depend on suitable weather and flying conditions, so they can change at short notice. Providing a wider timeframe gives our crews the flexibility to complete inspections as soon as conditions allow, helping us avoid unnecessary cancellations or repeat visits.
Many drone inspections can be completed without entering private property. However, if our crews need to access your property to inspect Vector assets, they'll knock on your door first. If you're not home, they'll leave a calling card with their contact details and information about why they visited.
If we’re aware there are livestock on your property, our crews will take the animals into account when planning the inspection and work with you where needed to minimise disruption. For example, some horse owners prefer to be present during inspections, and we’ll work with them to accommodate this where practicable.
If you have livestock, access requirements or any concerns about our inspection, please contact us using the details in your notification before the inspection takes place so we can work with you to make appropriate arrangements.
We understand that privacy is important.
Our drones and helicopters focus only on our network equipment and surrounding vegetation, not on private homes or individuals. We also don’t take video footage.
The data captured by LiDAR creates a 3D view of the surveyed area, which includes powerlines and vegetation but not detailed personal property data from which an individual can be identified.
All work is carried out in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and Vector’s Privacy Statement. Any images or data that might identify a person are handled securely and used solely for inspecting and maintaining our electricity network. Our contractors follow the same standards for information security and privacy . For more information, you can view Vector’s Privacy Statement here.
Some examples of LiDAR data capture and photos that we are taking are below.
In some cases, drone operators may also need to physically access your property to complete an inspection safely. If this is necessary, we’ll contact you in advance to arrange access.
No, your power supply won’t be affected. The surveys can be completed safely without turning the power off.
Due to the different requirements of each inspection the drones and helicopter operate at different heights.
Drones will operate close to the overhead lines and equipment being photographed, while helicopters generally fly at approximately 1000 ft to minimise customer impact, but may need to fly lower at times to capture required data.
Helicopters are used to capture LiDAR data and take single images of poles across the network. They are ideal for surveying larger areas quickly and collecting highly accurate data over a wide area, they are faster and more accurate than drones for this type of work. Drones, on the other hand, are better suited for close-range, detailed inspections of individual poles and equipment.
LiDAR uses lasers to scan the network, capturing millions of precise data points. These points are combined to create a 3D view of the surveyed area, including powerlines and surrounding vegetation. This allows us to assess conditions, ensure clearance requirements are met, and proactively address risks such as vegetation growing too close to electricity lines.
The LiDAR data collected is used to create a 3D map of the surveyed area.
This, along with the photos that we will be taking of our equipment, helps us plan maintenance, ensure powerlines meet clearance standards, and identify vegetation risks. The data we collect is handled securely and is for the primary purpose of inspecting and maintaining our assets. That purpose is lawful.
Data that incidentally records and individual will be blurred or edited out before being used by Vector and will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and Vector’s Privacy Statement.
Aerial surveys provide:
- Enhanced reliability: Early identification of potential issues helps prevent power outages.
- Improved efficiency: Aerial surveys cover large areas quickly, reducing the time compared to sending crews to every location .
- Safety: Reduces the need for crews to access challenging or hazardous locations.
- Proactive maintenance: Ensures our network is well-prepared for future weather events.
- Understanding of fire risk: Helicopter surveys help identify vegetation growing too close to powerlines, which could potentially cause power outages and pose a fire risk.
- Network Compliance: The LiDAR aerial survey creates a highly accurate 3D model of powerlines, poles and surrounding vegetation. This provides:
- Faster coverage of the network compared to ground patrols
- The ability to detect issues that may not be visible from the ground
- Identifies overhead lines that require maintenance to ensure compliance with regulations .
Yes. During drone inspections a ground spotter will also visit each pole to check the pole’s foundation and to complete a quick visual inspection from the ground. They’ll also carry out acoustic testing on high-voltage poles.
The entire network will be inspected over a five-year period, with a fifth of the network reviewed each year.
Please contact us at 0508 VECTOR (0508 832 867) if you have any questions or concerns.