An Australian land survey company taking photos of New Zealand cities during lockdown says it is allowed to.

Nearmap said in a statement it is operating "as part of the essential business services supply chain in New Zealand", and is helping the Government with a coronavirus relief planning.

Stuff is working to verify those claims.

The company left a trail of finger-pointing when New Zealanders spotted the flights operating over Hamilton, Wanaka, Wellington and other major centres.

But Nearmap says its work is allowed during the lockdown under guidance from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

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"We are making our high-resolution aerial imagery available free of charge to health officials and Government agencies for covid-19 relief effort planning.

"This approach has been successful in the US where our high-resolution aerial imagery has helped Government agencies to identify locations for mobile testing centres, temporary medical facilities, and more."

SUPPLIED The aircraft could be seen surveying North Wellington on Sunday morning.

The statement says Nearmap is taking the covid-19 outbreak "very seriously"..

Its work was "supporting Government operations" and providing "critical support services for infrastructure maintenance".

"Our work involves capturing images for many essential industries in all New Zealand provinces."

It was working with Government departments for the ongoing maintenance and construction of critical infrastructure, including construction, utilities, communications and transport, it said.

Using flight tracker, the aircraft could be seen to have been in Nelson, Wanaka, and Dunedin last week, and in Whangarei, Tauranga and Wellington from April 3 to April 5.

CAA manager communications Mike Richards said Nearmap had been advised that they need to determine for themselves if their work met the definition of "essential services".

"The operator indicated to CAA they intended to confirm with the Police in each of the areas they were working in."

The CAA had spoken to Nearmap and stressed the requirement for the activity they are undertaking needed to be necessary for the delivery of essential services during the lockdown, Richards said.

Nearmap's website says it captures high resolution aerial imagery across New Zealand multiple times per year.

It captures "high definition aerial photos under the best possible conditions" so that people can understand the critical details of their project or asset, it says.

On Sunday, Landpro executive director Mike Borthwick pointed out Nearmap's activity while his company aircraft were grounded during lockdown.

"We've had all our contacts calling us asking what these guys are up to."

The aircraft had been operating in New Zealand since December "very sporadically", but their activity had ramped up in the first 10 days of lockdown, Borthwick said.

The company would also have a flight crew, likely of two people, who would be travelling to multiple New Zealand locations and using airports too, Borthwick said.

A police spokeswoman said alert level four restrictions applied to all businesses and individuals not considered essential, including overseas companies working here.

The rules apply to everyone "operating in New Zealand", she said.

"These restrictions are in place to save lives – everyone has to play their part and stay in their bubble.

"Anyone with concerns about breaches can make a report online at: https://www.police.govt.nz/105support."