Kōwhai Aero

14/10/2025

Some really interesting results coming through from this project. Our LiDAR unit is matching the significantly bigger and more expensive MiniVUX in many areas. It has been a fantastic opportunity for the Kōwhai Aero team to work alongside Scion on such innovative research. Great to see the collaboration, knowledge sharing, and progress being made across the industry.

Update #5 on our project! It’s been a little while since my last update and as you can probably guess, we’ve been deep in ! Over the past few months, we’ve processed 144 individual datasets, covering a wide range of combinations: different flight altitudes, overlaps,...

15/07/2025

It’s been a lengthy process, but we finally got there.

I’m proud to share that is now operating at full capacity. We’ve secured some key privileges in our operational specifications — including BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) and clearance to fly above 400ft.

This unlocks a huge step forward for us, expanding our capacity to take on larger and projects with greater reach and efficiency. Excited to see where this takes us next.

If you’re working on projects that could benefit from aerial data capture or LiDAR scanning — let’s have a chat.

27/05/2025

A sneak peek into the tree isolation process for this site.

Once the trees are isolated, individual metrics for each one are extracted. Foliage is separated, and meshes for stems and branches are generated. Through these, we calculate volumes, which are then run through our in-house green weight calculator.

The possibilities available to us now are really only limited by imagination — and all of this work is carried out in-house by our lead analyst and co-director, Jacob.



Big shoutout again to for supporting innovation!

20/05/2025

So privileged to use our tech for conservation efforts! 🌿 We recently partnered with the Department of Conservation to scan a long-closed block, gathering vital data for ongoing monitoring. Every scan helps protect these precious areas!

28/01/2025

We're working on a deep learning tool for tree detection & canopy measurement; being able to automate a tree inventory and canopy area estimate from just an Orthophoto enables us to cover a huge area efficiently when we don't need precision LiDAR data.

Now I have an accurate inventory of this orchard block, can identify planting gaps and monitor tree health, fert application and irrigation needs based on growth patterns.

13/01/2025

One of our strengths at Kōwhai Aero is that we know trees!
With a background in arboriculture, horticulture and vegetation management, we can identify the important information in our reporting.

Thanks to Kōwhai Aero innovative tools, we can provide clearer communication to our customers and achieve more efficient and effective site planning and reporting.

12/01/2025

Following up on the scan we posted on Thursday.
With a little processing we can see how the on site interacts with the surrounding and start to gather some tree inventory information. Awesome to see the and underway!

08/01/2025

Checking out some canopies in this cluster of large Eucalyptus. Our scan for this site took 4 minutes and can provide valuable data to assist teams on the ground, planning and management, efforts and management. Looking forward to using this to demo the and tools we’ve been working with. Developing methods to automate some of the common data analysis processes we use at

08/12/2024

After a busy year setting the groundwork, Jesse and myself are proud to introduce you to Kōwhai Aero!

We founded this company based on a shared passion for trees, technology and the environment. Our focus is developing innovative solutions for vegetation management, tree inventory, environmental monitoring and project planning.

We’d love for you to give us a follow here, or on instagram (link in comments) where we’ll be demonstrating our usage of LiDAR, remote sensing and advanced data processing in Arboriculture and Forestry.

Jacob Fielding & Jesse Coleman - Kōwhai Aero.

02/11/2024

Trimming a point cloud to only include the worksite and spotted this felling wedge, left on a pine stump right at the outside of our scanned area.