Journal · Field notes
Filming Ahipara School on top of Whangatauatia, from home
Yes, a drone can film a school event from a distance. For Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Ahipara School walked up Whangatauatia, and I flew the drone from home, keeping it in sight the whole time, to film the whole school at the summit.
No paid shoots on the calendar this week. Some of the best footage came from home anyway.
Ahipara School on Whangatauatia
It was Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, and Ahipara School walked the whole school up Whangatauatia, our local maunga. I can see the summit from home. So I put the drone up, kept it in sight the whole way across, and filmed them sitting up there by the mast.
From up there you get the full picture. Kids in their school colours on the top of the hill, the bay below, the bush running down to the water and the sand dunes out past the point. It's one of those views you forget you live next to until you see it from the air.
I sent the school two stills and a clip the same day, for them to use however they like.
Being from Ahipara, I'm always keen to do things for the local school. Their gala video is on our work page too. If your school, marae or club has something coming up, flick me a message.
Haze website banner, done
The third version of the Haze Real Estate banner got approved this week. It's the one built from the Cape Reinga and Houhora footage.
Arcline
An edit went out to Arcline Architecture, along with a folder of everything for September. They've picked the next five cuts from the list of twelve we made back in August, so those are next.
Wind check, before the drive
A shoot planned for the following Tuesday had moved off its first date. When we ran the wind check again, the forecast gusts were 40 to 46 km/h all day, too much for the drone. Finding that out days ahead beats finding it out on site after an hour in the car.
First booking with Ray White Doubtless Bay
Ray White Doubtless Bay booked us for the first time, a premium video at Sunlover Way on the Karikari Peninsula. We lined it up next to another Karikari job the same day so the drive covered both.
Watch the walk
The full clip of the school at the summit is up on our YouTube channel: Ahipara School 2026 ventured to the summit of Whangatauatia.
Quick answers
Can you film a school or community event with a drone?
Yes. We filmed Ahipara School at the summit of Whangatauatia during their Te Wiki o te Reo Māori walk, and we've filmed their gala and the Ahipara Gamefish Club's Best of the West too.
Does the drone have to stay in sight when you fly?
Yes. We keep the drone where we can see it the whole flight. For the Whangatauatia footage I could see the summit from home, so it stayed in sight the whole time.
How far ahead do you check the weather for a drone shoot?
A few days ahead, and again closer to the day. This week that caught a day with gusts of 40 to 46 km/h before anyone drove out.