Drone and helicopter inspections

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Please contact us at 0508 VECTOR (0508 832 867) if you have any questions or concerns. 

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.

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.