Drones make great Christmas gifts and are a lot of fun, but the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is urging people not to toy with them.

'If you receive a drone this Christmas, you become a pilot and you have responsibilities,” says Clayton Hughes, CAA's Manager, Special Flight Operations, Recreational Aviation and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems.

'Before you bolt out the door to fly your drone this Christmas, please make sure you're aware of the rules and stick to them to ensure you don't put people or property at risk.

'One of the rules, for example, is that you need to get permission from people and the owners or residents of properties you want to fly your drone over. This year, there's been a 44 percent increase in the number of incidents reported to us involving drones being flown over people or properties without consent. There have been 177 incidents reported to us this year, compared to 123 last year.

'There have also been increases in the number of reported incidents involving drones being flown within 4kms of an aerodrome, (59 compared to 46 last year) and being flown near other aircraft (51 compared to 41 last year).

'Both of these types of incidents have the potential to cause serious injury to people on the ground –and if a drone collided with a large airliner the consequences could be catastrophic.”

CAA encourages people who see a drone being flown unsafely or illegally to report the incident.

If the incident is putting people in immediate danger or seems to involve criminal intent, call the police on 111.

Other incidents should be reported to CAA by email: isi@caa.govt.nz

'The more details you can provide the better, for example the date and time of the incident, the location and the direction the drone was coming from and going to. Photos and videos are particularly helpful,” says CAA.

'Enjoy your drone – but not at others' expense. Know the rules and abide by them always.”