Forget selfie sticks, Rotorua tourism operator Te Puia is taking photos to a whole new level by capturing 10 second aerial videos of visitors in the geothermal valley with drones.

Tourism New Zealand launched the #NZDronie campaign in 2014 and after reaching 34 million people globally in its first year, Te Puia is the first independent operator to offer the popular product.

Sales and marketing manager Kiri Atkinson-Crean says Te Puia launched the free dronie project to give visitors an unseen perspective of the valley and a totally unique piece of new age memorabilia to take home after their visit.

'Throughout the summer season, we will have trained staff dedicated to producing the dronie videos, which are free of charge for all Te Puia visitors.

'Visitors will stand in our designated dronie location in the valley, while the drone hovers in front of them to record. The drone will then fly back and upwards, keeping the person still in shot, but revealing the stunning scenery that's behind them.”

Once the video is complete, staff edit the shot on the spot to produce a 10 second video which is instantly shared with visitors via email.

Kiri says Te Whakarewarewa Valley covers 60 hectares of 'out-of-this-world” landscape and over 500 geothermal features including the world famous Pohutu Geyser.

'It creates the ultimate backdrop. The drone gives visitors a unique view of the valley they would not otherwise get to see.”

The dronie project will be available over the summer period utill March. Filming in the valley will be from 11am – 3pm on week days. For more information visit: www.tepuia.com