BASED IN THE WANAKA. BUILT FOR THE SOUTH.
The only dedicated drone operator based in Wanaka
Southern Drone Worx - proudly family owned and operated - serves farmers, growers, orchardists and commercial operators across Otago, Southland, Westland and the Mackenzie District - no compaction, no ground rigs, no compromise.
Started in May 2025 by Blake and Brittany Ross, their aim was simple: bring the latest drone technology to Otago, without the wait or the price tag of bringing in an outside contractor. With no other operators based in Wanaka and few across the wider region, we're able to respond faster and price more fairly than the traditional alternatives - helicopters and ground rigs.
Zero Ground Compaction
No rigs, no ruts - soil and pasture stay intact, with crop yields up to 18% higher as a result.
Precision Coverage
Flying low and slow, our drones' downdraft drives spray straight into the target - better coverage, less waste.
Fairer Pricing
A genuine, cost-efficient alternative to helicopters and traditional ground contractors.
THE WORK WE DO
How we can help
One operator, Every job
From precision spraying to heavy lifting, our service range covers jobs traditional contractors often can't do efficiently, or can't do at all.
CERTIFIED TO DO THE JOB RIGHT
Every job flown to a standard, not a guess
Southern Drone Worx is Sitewise accredited and holds CAA Part 102 certification - the standard required to operate commercially and safely on farms, commercial sites, and government contracts across New Zealand.
It means every job, regardless of size, is flown to a standard you can rely on - and by an operator who's accountable for the result.
"As an arable farmer, timing for me is everything. Having the drone as another tool in the toolbox has become an important part of what I do for when conditions are challenging for ground rigs etc. Backed up with good service I know I can call on when those last-minute decisions need to be made."
Murrell, Midland Seeds