Drone delivers supplies to cut off Marlborough community

After a bridge was washed away in floodwaters last week, a group of about 40 farming families were left without an easy way to get groceries.

Those in the Waihopai Valley were cut-off for several days after floodwaters took out the Tyntesfield Bridge.

Some out of the box thinking saw one family order in a supply run via local drone company Skyworks.

Brigit Evans, who has a 22-hectare lifestyle block down the valley, decided to combat the lack of access by calling in a drone delivery from Skyworks before road access was restored over the weekend.

She said it provided piece of mind and a good alternative for families who might otherwise be cut off.

"The biggest thing that affected me was the access, losing the bridge. I think having access to something like that drone would be very very handy in the future for other people that might possibly be stuck that need prescriptions flown in.

"It just opens up a whole lot more options for people."

Among the essentials dropped off?

"Just the basics, bits and pieces that kept us going for a few more days."

This included things like dog food, milk, and tea, though with the DJI Flycart 30 able to carry up to 40 kilograms in one go Evans said it was good to know it could also bring in stock feed if needed.

Skyworks chief pilot Colin Aitchison said it was the first time he had made a drone delivery for cut off families.

He believed it might even be a New Zealand first.

Aitchison said drones could be a more affordable alternative to helicopter drop-offs.

"Those last mile deliveries are where they really start to shine. If a helicopter's not financially viable we can come in and do that work.

"There's also probably more drones than helicopters around now and the lifting side of things is starting to take hold here in New Zealand as it has overseas.

"Helicopters might be tied up doing more important or longer distance work and we can come in with the drone and do those little short hops with supplies. We can take off and land pretty much anywhere we need to."

Aitchison said with drone technology rapidly advancing - and severe weather events becoming more frequent - he expects to offer more services like this.

A temporary ford has now been constructed upstream of the damaged bridge, allowing 4WD access while long term road recovery work continues.