The flying of drones over public spaces may be seen by some as a nuisance - but 43-year-old Wellington resident Zoltán Csuzdi wants to dispel that view - and says flying drones is a ‘legitimate hobby’.

Zoltán has been flying drones for just over a year. He took up the hobby after having a pacemaker fitted. He said: “I realised last year that I needed to look after myself and find a hobby that keeps me mentally and physically fit.”

(Zoltan Csuszdi)

Mr Csuzdi has always been into photography, starting out with nature photographs he quickly realised that the ‘bird’s eye view was always the best and hardest to get’. It was around this time that his friends who had drones offered to lend some to him. Zoltán jumped at the chance, and started doing aerial photography and videography. He said: “I love taking footage of industrial buildings and aerial views of Wellington, It’s amazing to see how the town changes over the years, more so recently with the development of lots of new housing estates.”Zoltán lives in Weavers Reach near the old Fox Bros Mill.

(Zoltan Csuszdi)

Drone flying is now used by many organisations in applications like motorsport or event management. Zoltán said he wishes to bring more awareness to local people about drones. He said: “I do everything by the book, I have my drone certificate and make sure that I do everything with a licence.”

Mr Csuzdi’s hobby doesn’t stop with aerial shots. He also uses it as an opportunity to promote local businesses, and promote charities close to his heart. He said: “I have a disabled child at home and I am planning on raising money for charities in the future using my hobby as a way of doing that.”

(Zoltan Csuszdi)

One of Zoltán’s more recent projects has been to capture the Lidl’s building site every few months to see the progress. He said: “I am planning on capturing the changes happening at the Lidl building site and putting into a ‘time-lapse’. I find it really interesting to show people how things change over time.” 

Zoltán’s work may in the future offer a window to the past and an educational tool for generations.