Wairarapa drone ignites fierce debate

Deane Cronin, whose children were taking part in school swimming sports, was taking photos of it with a drone, which alarmed some people. Photo / File

Some online readers were concerned about the use of drones after an article about a drone seen flying over a school swimming sports competition in Featherston.

The man operating it, Deane Cronin, had since come forward and said he used his drone once outside the fenceline to photograph the event, as his children were taking part.

RH said: "I can't believe that the cameraman didn't at least consider that other parents might be alarmed by this.

"I would expect an experienced cameraman would think to contact the school and at least ask permission first.

"Bizarre behaviour ... not suggesting there is anything sinister here ... just the lack of consideration for others."

Rose Nope said: "I can understand why a drone taking photos of children in the pool would make people uncomfortable."

Kerri Rimene said: "Other parents might not like you taking photos of their children without their permission especially if it's a unknown source, just being a protective parent."

But some readers said that it was no different to using a regular camera.

wwwfeatherston said: "Is this any different to taking a picture on the Main St or at a park with a handheld camera? No. There is just a hysteria because it is a drone and new things and ideas are too scary and uncomfortable for many."

Ariana Eiao said: "So it was OK for other parents to take photos but it's creepy cos he used a different type of camera?"

Ricky Rogers said because it was a new technology it would take "a little bit of time for people to figure out what is and is not appropriate behaviour".

He said the drone was just the tool. "In this case it wasn't appropriate to take photos of a pool with kids in it, but that has nothing to do with drones and everything to do with what is appropriate public behaviour.

"The thing is, if the same guy was inside the fence taking photos of children and pretending to be a parent, then he would not only get much better photos but it wouldn't hit the front page of the paper ... it doesn't matter whether he was using a drone to do that or the latest Canon 5D camera.

Many said they would shoot a drone down.

Oldernwiser said: "One of those tennis-ball chuckers used to exercise dogs are quite accurate with a little practice. That should bring down a trespassing drone."

BatamKiwi said: "Sounds like time to get a paintball gun, what with all these new targets flying around ... "