Morena Lee Jared,

Official information request for
I refer to your official information request dated 6/09/2023 for:

"1. CAA Documentation of UAP/UFO Sightings Reports Received:
Request access to any documents, reports, or records held by the Civil Aviation Authority relating to reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) or Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) from January 1, 2010, to the present day. This may include incident reports, radar data, witness statements, and any investigative findings related to UAP/UFO sightings.

2. CAA Protocols and Procedures for Handling UAP/UFO Reports:
Request information regarding the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) protocols, procedures, or guidelines for receiving, assessing, and investigating reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) or Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). This should include details on how reports are documented, analyzed, and disseminated to relevant agencies or authorities.

3. CAA Communication with NZDF Regarding UAP/UFO Reports:
Request any correspondence, communications, or exchanges between the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) regarding reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) or Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). This may include emails, memos, meeting minutes, or any other records that discuss collaborative efforts or information sharing related to UAP/UFO sightings."

Unfortunately, the document you requested does not exist as the CAA does not have any involvement with UAP activity.
We are therefore refusing your request under section 18(e) of the Official Information Act as the requested document does not exist.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

Nga Mihi,

Brett Mercer (he/him)
Official Information Advisor | Kaitohutohu
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand Aviation Security Service
Te Mana Rererangi Tūmatanui o Aotearoa | Kaiwhakamaru Rererangi
Legal Services | OIA
L +64 4560 9754|email: [email address]
B Level 15, Asteron Centre, 55 Featherston Street, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
 Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

The contents of this email may be legally privileged.

-----Original Message-----
From: Lee Jared <[FOI #25736 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2024 11:39 PM
To: OIA <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Disclosure of Civil Aviation Authority's UAP/UFO Handling Protocols and Communications

Dear Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand,

I would like to request the following;

1. CAA Documentation of UAP/UFO Sightings Reports Received:
Request access to any documents, reports, or records held by the Civil Aviation Authority relating to reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) or Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) from January 1, 2010, to the present day. This may include incident reports, radar data, witness statements, and any investigative findings related to UAP/UFO sightings.

2. CAA Protocols and Procedures for Handling UAP/UFO Reports:
Request information regarding the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) protocols, procedures, or guidelines for receiving, assessing, and investigating reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) or Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). This should include details on how reports are documented, analyzed, and disseminated to relevant agencies or authorities.

3. CAA Communication with NZDF Regarding UAP/UFO Reports:
Request any correspondence, communications, or exchanges between the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) regarding reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) or Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). This may include emails, memos, meeting minutes, or any other records that discuss collaborative efforts or information sharing related to UAP/UFO sightings.

Sincerely,
Lee Jared

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Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #25736 email]

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This e-mail (and its accompanying attachments) is intended for the named recipient only and may contain information that is provided in confidence and may be subject to legal privilege. Any classification marking must be adhered to. If you are not the intended recipient please inform the sender and destroy the message. If you have received this message in error you must not distribute or copy this e-mail or its attachments. The Civil Aviation Authority accepts no responsibility for any changes made to this message after the transmission from the Civil Aviation Authority. Before opening or using attachments, check them for viruses and other effects. This communication may be accessed or retained for information assurance and cyber security purposes.

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Lee,

I acknowledge receipt of your official information request to the CAA for the following –

"1. The CAA's stance on handling UAP reports and its procedures for documenting, assessing, and investigating such incidents.

2. The nature of the communication and collaboration between the CAA and the NZDF regarding UAP sightings.

3. Any specific protocols or guidelines established by the CAA for addressing UAP-related matters."

We received your request on 15/02/2024. We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and in any event no later than 14 March 2024, being 20 working days after the day your request was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.
Your request is being handled by the OIA team. If you have any queries, please feel free to contact us at [CAA request email] with the reference 24/OIR/258.
If any additional factors come to light which are relevant to your request, please do not hesitate to contact us so that these can be considered.

Nga Mihi,

Brett Mercer (he/him)
Official Information Advisor | Kaitohutohu
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand Aviation Security Service
Te Mana Rererangi Tūmatanui o Aotearoa | Kaiwhakamaru Rererangi
Legal Services | OIA
L +64 4560 9754|email: [email address]
B Level 15, Asteron Centre, 55 Featherston Street, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
 Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

The contents of this email may be legally privileged.

-----Original Message-----
From: Lee Jared <[FOI #25736 email]>
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2024 5:53 PM
To: OIA <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Disclosure of Civil Aviation Authority's UAP/UFO Handling Protocols and Communications

Dear Mr. Brett Mercer,

I hope this message finds you well. I am replying to your OIA response as I would like to point out a discrepancy in the handling of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) reports in New Zealand.

In your response, you stated that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) does not have any involvement with UAP activity and does not possess related documentation. However, this contradicts the information provided by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) in a response to a OIA request made in August 2023 by Andrew Arkins (https://fyi.org.nz/request/23930-uap-uso...), where the NZDF states;

"The NZDF has no role or responsibility relating to reports of UAS/UFO. It is standard practice that any such reports received by the NZDF are to be referred to the Civil Aviation Authority.
The NZDF neither investigates nor maintains records relating to UAS/UFO sightings."

This indicated that UAP reports are routinely referred to the CAA for investigation.

This inconsistency has raised questions regarding the roles and responsibilities of both agencies in addressing UAP sightings. Moreover, it's imperative to highlight that UAP discussions have gained significant traction globally, notably in the United States Congress and other government entities. The seriousness with which these matters are approached abroad should equally be reflected in New Zealand's approach going forward.

Therefore, I kindly request clarification on the following points:

1. The CAA's stance on handling UAP reports and its procedures for documenting, assessing, and investigating such incidents.

2. The nature of the communication and collaboration between the CAA and the NZDF regarding UAP sightings.

3. Any specific protocols or guidelines established by the CAA for addressing UAP-related matters.

I am eager to gain a better understanding of how UAP reports are managed in New Zealand and ensure that appropriate measures are in place for addressing such phenomena.

Yours sincerely.

-----Original Message-----

Morena Lee Jared,

Official information request for
I refer to your official information request dated 6/09/2023 for:

"1. CAA Documentation of UAP/UFO Sightings Reports Received:
Request access to any documents, reports, or records held by the Civil Aviation Authority relating to reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) or Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) from January 1, 2010, to the present day. This may include incident reports, radar data, witness statements, and any investigative findings related to UAP/UFO sightings.

2. CAA Protocols and Procedures for Handling UAP/UFO Reports:
Request information regarding the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) protocols, procedures, or guidelines for receiving, assessing, and investigating reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) or Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). This should include details on how reports are documented, analyzed, and disseminated to relevant agencies or authorities.

3. CAA Communication with NZDF Regarding UAP/UFO Reports:
Request any correspondence, communications, or exchanges between the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) regarding reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) or Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). This may include emails, memos, meeting minutes, or any other records that discuss collaborative efforts or information sharing related to UAP/UFO sightings."

Unfortunately, the document you requested does not exist as the CAA does not have any involvement with UAP activity.
We are therefore refusing your request under section 18(e) of the Official Information Act as the requested document does not exist.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

Nga Mihi,

Brett Mercer (he/him)
Official Information Advisor | Kaitohutohu Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand Aviation Security Service Te Mana Rererangi Tūmatanui o Aotearoa | Kaiwhakamaru Rererangi Legal Services | OIA L +64 4560 9754|email: [email address] B Level 15, Asteron Centre, 55 Featherston Street, Wellington 6011, New Zealand  Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

The contents of this email may be legally privileged.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #25736 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
This e-mail (and its accompanying attachments) is intended for the named recipient only and may contain information that is provided in confidence and may be subject to legal privilege. Any classification marking must be adhered to. If you are not the intended recipient please inform the sender and destroy the message. If you have received this message in error you must not distribute or copy this e-mail or its attachments. The Civil Aviation Authority accepts no responsibility for any changes made to this message after the transmission from the Civil Aviation Authority. Before opening or using attachments, check them for viruses and other effects. This communication may be accessed or retained for information assurance and cyber security purposes.

hide quoted sections

Kia Ora Lee,

 

In response to your request dated 15/02/2024 we have prepared the
following in response:

 

1. The CAA's stance on handling UAP reports and its procedures for
documenting, assessing, and investigating such incidents.
We will check the date time to see if there are any reports received from
any other source at the time and place, including flightradar24.com.
However we have not found any such correlation. As a result of these
criteria,  UAP reports invariably do not meet the requirements for further
investigation, and a reply is sent to the submitter if possible.

The report, along with any additional information such as replies,
pictures, etc, is given a reference number and filed as per normal
procedures.

There is no specific descriptor for recording UFA/UAP reports – it may be
recorded as “Object in navigable airspace”, or “Other safety concern” or
“Other non-safety concern”.

 

2. The nature of the communication and collaboration between the CAA and
the NZDF regarding UAP sightings.
There is no specific procedure for collaborating with NZDF, and we would
not normally communicate with them on these matters unless there was some
specific reason. For example, a report came from them in which case they
would be replied to. 

 

3. Any specific protocols or guidelines established by the CAA for
addressing UAP-related matters.
UAP reports are treated as Aviation Related Concerns (ARC's) – Procedure
attached.

 

 

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602. 

 

 

Nga Mihi,

Brett Mercer (he/him)  

Official Information Advisor | Kaitohutohu

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand  Q Aviation Security Service

Te Mana Rererangi Tûmatanui o Aotearoa   |   Kaiwhakamaru Rererangi
Legal Services | OIA

( +64 4560 9754|email: [2][email address]

* Level 15, Asteron Centre, 55 Featherston Street, Wellington 6011, New
Zealand

P  Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

 

The contents of this email may be legally privileged.

 

 

This e-mail (and its accompanying attachments) is intended for the named
recipient only and may contain information that is provided in confidence
and may be subject to legal privilege. Any classification marking must be
adhered to. If you are not the intended recipient please inform the sender
and destroy the message. If you have received this message in error you
must not distribute or copy this e-mail or its attachments. The Civil
Aviation Authority accepts no responsibility for any changes made to this
message after the transmission from the Civil Aviation Authority. Before
opening or using attachments, check them for viruses and other effects.
This communication may be accessed or retained for information assurance
and cyber security purposes.

References

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