First Contact Protocol
Pete Straub made this Official Information request to Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
The request was refused by Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment.
From: Pete Straub
Dear Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment,
Question for the NZ Space Agency. If this is not the correct government department please forward to the correct one.
In the event that it is NZ that makes first contact with an extra terrestrial intelligence, what are the protocols for that interaction?
Yours faithfully,
Pete Straub
From: Ministerial Services
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
Ref: 1920-0574
Dear Mr Straub
On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment I
acknowledge your email of 05 October 2019 requesting under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following:
· In the event that it is NZ that makes first contact with an extra
terrestrial intelligence, what are the protocols for that interaction?
Your request is being processed in accordance with the Act and a response
will be sent to you in due course. If you have any enquiries regarding
your request feel free to contact us via email [MBIE request email] or using
the contact details below.
Nāku noa, nā
Katie Wellington
MANAGER, MINISTERIAL SERVICES
Corporate, Governance and Information
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Level 4, 15 Stout Street, PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140
NZBN 9429000106078
[1]www.govt.nz - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government
services
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From: NZ Space Agency
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
Dear Pete Straub,
Attached is our response to your question,
“In the event that it is NZ that makes first contact with an extra
terrestrial intelligence, what are the protocols for that interaction?”
Thank you for your patience while we prepared this response.
Kind regards,
The New Zealand Space Agency
New Zealand Space Agency
[1][email address] |0508 THESPACEAGENCY (0508 843 697) |
International calls +64 9 952 1663
PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140
[2]www.mbie.govt.nz/space
[3]cid:image007.jpg@01D2C408.53E98100
[4]MBIE logo_V2[5]NZGOVT logo_v2
[6]www.govt.nz - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government
services
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References
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1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.mbie.govt.nz/space
6. http://www.govt.nz/
From: Pete Straub
Dear NZ Space Agency,
Thank you for your response. I seem to have inadvertently highlighted a major flaw. If you do not yet have such a protocol, I suggest that you develop one. How embarrassing would it be if ET shows up and we don't know how to approach the situation?
Or is it that another agency has responsibility for first contact? If so I would take it kindly if you would point me in the right direction
Yours sincerely,
Pete Straub
From: NZ Space Agency
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
Thank you for your email.
We aim to respond to your email within 3 business days. If you have an
urgent request, please call us on 0508 843 697 from within New Zealand.
For international calls please phone +64 3 943 7811.
This email confirms receipt of your request.
Kind regards,
New Zealand Space Agency
[1]www.govt.nz - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government
services
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References
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1. http://www.govt.nz/
From: NZ Space Agency
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
Dear Pete Straub,
Thank you for your follow-up regarding protocols for first contact with extra-terrestrial intelligence. Regarding your question:
“Or is it that another agency has responsibility for first contact? If so I would take it kindly if you would point me in the right direction”
No New Zealand agency has specific responsibility for first contact. Regarding your suggestion:
“If you do not yet have such a protocol, I suggest that you develop one.”
Thank you for your comments. We have noted your views on the need for a protocol.
Kind regards,
The New Zealand Space Agency
New Zealand Space Agency
[email address] |0508 THESPACEAGENCY (0508 843 697) | International calls +64 9 952 1663
PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140
www.mbie.govt.nz/space
www.govt.nz <http://www.govt.nz/> - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government services
show quoted sections
From: NZ Space Agency
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
Dear Pete Straub,
Thank you for your follow-up regarding protocols for first contact with extra-terrestrial intelligence. Regarding your question:
“Or is it that another agency has responsibility for first contact? If so I would take it kindly if you would point me in the right direction”
No New Zealand agency has specific responsibility for first contact. Regarding your suggestion:
“If you do not yet have such a protocol, I suggest that you develop one.”
Thank you for your comments. We have noted your views on the need for a protocol.
Kind regards,
The New Zealand Space Agency
New Zealand Space Agency
[email address] |0508 THESPACEAGENCY (0508 843 697) | International calls +64 9 952 1663
PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140
www.mbie.govt.nz/space
www.govt.nz <http://www.govt.nz/> - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government services
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