Aerial Surveys

What Aerial Surveys does

Aerial Surveys Ltd is New Zealand's oldest aerial surveying company, founded in 1979 and headquartered at Nelson Airport with a secondary office in Auckland. The company specialises in airborne geospatial data collection using fixed-wing aircraft equipped with Teledyne Optech LiDAR sensors (Galaxy Prime, Galaxy Edge+, Orion H300) and large-format digital cameras (PhaseOne IXM RS150MP, Vexcel UltraCam Eagle). Core deliverables include high-density LiDAR point clouds, ortho-rectified aerial imagery, RGBI multi-spectral data, digital elevation and surface models, and derived mapping products such as contours, classified point clouds, and change detection maps. Aerial Surveys also operates searchable online libraries (Digital Library from 2009, LiDAR Library from 2007, and a Historic Library dating to the 1950s) and recently launched drone LiDAR and imagery capture services for small-scale projects.

The company's revenue is generated primarily through project-based, custom-quoted professional services contracts rather than recurring subscriptions. Pricing is quote-based, with contract values driven by capture area, LiDAR point density, imagery resolution (GSD), band requirements, and deliverable specifications. Multi-year government contracts are awarded via competitive tender, with the company having won 6 of 10 regions in the LINZ-led national elevation data programme and capturing approximately 120,000 sqkm of LiDAR data across seven New Zealand regions. Customers span government and regional councils (LINZ, Auckland Council, Wellington Regional Council, Environment Canterbury), engineering consultancies (WSP, BECA), rail infrastructure (KiwiRail), forestry (Rayonier), mining (OceanaGold), and utilities, with disaster response and environmental monitoring as additional use cases.

Aerial Surveys is privately held, New Zealand-owned and operated, with no disclosed external funding. The business is sales-led, with direct B2B engagement, an active content marketing presence (blog, technical articles, searchable data libraries), and a LinkedIn presence. The company has steadily invested in successive generations of LiDAR and imaging technology since 2007, with major capital outlays for the Galaxy Prime (2019), PhaseOne camera (2019), Galaxy Edge+ (2024), and a multi-camera expansion (2025), alongside the introduction of drone-based capture services in 2024.

Name

Aerial Surveys

Legal name

Aerial Surveys Ltd

Website

https://www.aerialsurveys.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aerial Surveys Ltd is New Zealand's oldest aerial surveying company, providing airborne LiDAR and high-resolution aerial imagery capture for government agencies, regional councils, and enterprises across forestry, mining, infrastructure, and engineering sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerial Surveying and Geospatial Data Collection

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (54137)

akta.pro primary industry

Aerial Surveying & Crop Scouting (Imaging, Mapping, Stand Counts) (AFACAIAJ)

Keywords

• Aerial surveying services
• Airborne LiDAR capture
• Geospatial data collection
• Aerial imagery mapping
• Photogrammetric mapping services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nelson

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Airborne LiDAR Data Capture and Processing: Project-based revenue from LiDAR capture contracts with government agencies, regional councils, and private industry. Contracts are typically awarded through competitive tendering processes for regional or national mapping programmes. Revenue is project-based rather than recurring.
2. Aerial Imagery and Photography Services: Revenue from capturing high-resolution aerial photography and imagery for regional councils, government agencies, and private sector clients. Includes ortho-rectified imagery, RGBI imagery, and derived products.
3. Image and Data Library Access: Revenue from providing access to historic aerial imagery library (dating back to the 1950s) and LiDAR data libraries, including scanning services for historic negatives and digital data licensing.
4. Drone Capture Services: Drone LiDAR and imagery capture services for small-scale high-accuracy projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Aerial Surveys provides airborne LiDAR data capture and high-resolution aerial imagery services across New Zealand using fixed-wing aircraft equipped with Teledyne Optech LiDAR sensors and Vexcel/PhaseOne digital cameras. Deliverables include ortho-rectified imagery, digital elevation models, classified point clouds, and 3D imagery products, supported by searchable historical data libraries and drone-based capture for small-scale projects.

Product overview

Aerial Surveys is a New Zealand-based geospatial data collection company offering a unified platform of aerial survey services. The core offering centers on LiDAR capture services (using Teledyne Optech Galaxy Prime, Galaxy Edge+, Orion H300 sensors) and aerial imagery (via Vexcel UltraCam and PhaseOne camera systems), supported by searchable data libraries (Digital Library, LiDAR Library, Historic Library) and drone-based capture for small-scale projects. Additional services include 3D imagery, mapping and analysis (DEM/DSM/DTM, contours, change detection), and ortho-rectification. The company operates from Nelson and Auckland offices, serving government, infrastructure, forestry, mining, environmental, and agricultural sectors across New Zealand for over 40 years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LiDAR Capture Services Airborne LiDAR data collection using advanced Teledyne Optech sensors (Galaxy Prime, Galaxy Edge+, Orion H300) delivering high-density point cloud data with real-time onboard processing for elevation mapping, terrain modeling, and infrastructure analysis.
• Aerial Imagery Capture High-resolution aerial photography services using Vexcel UltraCam and PhaseOne cameras, capturing RGB, RGBI (near-infrared), and multi-spectral imagery at resolutions from 3cm to 22cm GSD for mapping, monitoring, and analysis applications.
• Drone LiDAR and Imagery Capture Services Drone-based LiDAR and imagery capture services for high-accuracy small-scale projects, operated by Part 102 certified pilots with specialized expertise in capture, processing, and delivering localized aerial mapping products.
• Fixed-Wing Aerial Survey Traditional fixed-wing aircraft-based aerial survey operations delivering high-resolution imagery and LiDAR data for areas ranging from 2 km² up to regional coverage of thousands of km² at efficiency unmatched by satellite or drone alternatives.
• Mapping and Analysis Services Comprehensive geospatial analysis including Digital Elevation Models (DEM), Digital Surface Models (DSM), Digital Terrain Models (DTM), contour generation, change detection mapping, feature extraction, and ortho-rectified imagery production.
• 3D Imagery 3D imagery products including colorized point clouds, 3D mesh models, and dense matching outputs supporting urban modeling, terrain visualization, and infrastructure planning applications.
• LiDAR Library (Data Licensing) Searchable online map showing LiDAR coverage extent, accuracy, and point density for surveys since 2007, allowing users to search coverage by location and year with data also available through LINZ Data Service.
• Digital Image Library Searchable online portal for accessing digital aerial imagery captured since 2009, with interactive map showing photo centers and frame extents, searchable by location and year.
• Historic Library and Scanning Services Extensive photographic library containing aerial images dating back to the 1950s, including the Whites Aviation collection (transferred to Alexander Turnbull Library), with crown aerial photography available through RetroLens and on-request scanning and ortho-rectification services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 120,000+ square kilometres of LiDAR elevation data delivered across 7 New Zealand regions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AAM (formerly AAMHatch)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2010Aerial Surveys partnered with AAM to win the Auckland Local Government Geospatial Information Group (ALGGi) LiDAR and ortho imagery programme for 2010. The programme included Pictometry for ortho and oblique imagery, and Aerial Survey's new Vexcel UltraCam digital camera. Acquisition commenced January 2010 and covered most of the urban areas of the new Auckland Super City as part of an ongoing geospatial strategy.
• Teledyne OptechcoreTechnology or IntegrationAerial Surveys has made major investments in Teledyne Optech LiDAR technology including the Galaxy Prime (first permanently deployed in Australasia in 2019) and the Galaxy Edge+ (2023). These represent significant technology partnerships for airborne LiDAR sensors.
• Vexcel ImagingcoreTechnology or IntegrationAerial Surveys uses Vexcel UltraCam large format digital cameras including the UltraCam Eagle (largest format camera in the market) and multiple camera systems. Vexcel provides both hardware and UltraMap image processing software. Aerial Surveys won recognition in the Vexcel 'UltraCam Moment' competition.
• PhaseOnecoreTechnology or IntegrationAerial Surveys pairs PhaseOne IXM RS150MP digital camera with the Galaxy Prime LiDAR system. The 150-megapixel camera replaced the older 80-megapixel CS10000 camera for high-resolution aerial survey work.
• Engineering New ZealandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEngineering New Zealand's local branch arranged a hangar tour at Nelson Airport for engineers and surveyors to view Aerial Surveys' aircraft, camera systems, and LiDAR technology. This serves as a channel to reach engineering and surveying professionals who use aerial datasets.
• Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLINZ led the national elevation data collection programme, jointly funded by regional councils and the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF). Aerial Surveys was awarded 6 of 10 regions and captured approximately 120,000 sqkm of LiDAR data. LINZ makes much of this data available through the LINZ Data Service (LDS).
• Alexander Turnbull LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Whites Aviation photographic library, previously owned by Aerial Surveys, was transferred to the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington. The public can access Whites Aviation imagery for free through the library. This partnership preserves and provides public access to historic New Zealand aerial photography.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AAM (AAM Group): Australian aerial surveying and geospatial solutions provider with comparable LiDAR and aerial imagery services. AAM previously partnered with Aerial Surveys on the Auckland Super City programme, making them both a historical ally and direct competitor in the Australasian aerial survey market.
• Aerometrex: Australia-based aerial surveying and geospatial data company providing LiDAR, photogrammetry, and 3D modelling services to government and enterprise. Closest geographic peer offering directly competing airborne geospatial capture across ANZ.
• Woolpert: US-based aerial surveying, LiDAR, and geospatial services firm with similar technology stack (multiple sensor platforms) and government/enterprise client focus. Comparable in delivering large-scale national mapping programmes with comparable equipment (e.g., Teledyne Optech LiDAR).
• Bluesky International: UK-based aerial surveying company providing LiDAR, aerial photography, and 3D mapping services. Comparable in business model (project-based capture for government and enterprise) and technology stack (airborne LiDAR and large-format cameras).
• Merrick & Company: US-based geospatial solutions provider with dedicated LiDAR and aerial mapping services. Directly comparable in offering high-accuracy airborne LiDAR and imagery to government and engineering clients.

Broad incumbents

• Fugro: Global Dutch-headquartered geospatial and asset integrity company operating a dedicated aerial survey division. While much larger and broader in scope (also offshore geotechnical, marine), Fugro's aerial acquisition arm directly competes for large-scale international LiDAR tenders.
• Nearmap: Australian-listed aerial imagery company focused on subscription-based high-resolution aerial photo and AI-derived data. While not direct LiDAR competitor, Nearmap's imagery platform overlaps with Aerial Surveys' aerial imagery business and represents a different GTM model (subscription SaaS vs. project-based).
• Cyient: Global engineering and geospatial services company with significant aerial surveying capabilities. Larger, diversified firm but overlaps in delivering LiDAR, photogrammetry, and mapping services to utilities, mining, and government.

Emerging players

• GeoDrones / Drone-based Surveying: Smaller drone-only LiDAR and aerial survey providers are emerging competitors for the small-scale segment Aerial Surveys just entered. While not direct full-spectrum competitors, they commoditize the lower end of the project market.

Others

• Land Information New Zealand (LINZ): Government customer rather than peer, but referenced because LINZ acts as the central programme coordinator for national elevation data and influences which providers receive contracts. Important ecosystem participant for Aerial Surveys' primary go-to-market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aerial-surveys-nz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aerial Surveys