DMS42-6-11469
PO Box 900, Wellington 6140
P +64 4 472 6170,
F +64 4 472 8209
www.nzsis.govt.nz
7 July 2023
Jason Gooch
[FYI request #23201 email]
Tēnā koe Jason,
Official information request
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request of 20 June 2023 to the New
Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) seeking information about unexplained aerial
phenomena (UAP). Specifically, you requested the following information:
1. Any documents, reports, or memos related to the Five Eyes Foreign Material Recovery
Program (FMP) with a specific focus on UAP.
2. Information on the objectives, scope, and operational aspects of the FMP in relation to
UAP.
3. Any assessments, studies, or analyses conducted by the New Zealand Security Intel igence
Service regarding recovered foreign materials associated with UAP.
4. Any communication or correspondence between the New Zealand Security Intel igence
Service and other Five Eyes al iance members regarding the FMP and UAP.
5. Any records of encounters with UAP, including incident reports, witness testimonies, and
analysis of potential national security threats.
As you have also made this request to the New Zealand Defence Force, the Ministry of
Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister of Defence we have not
considered transferring the request to another agency who may hold information. Our
response, therefore, is limited to information held by the NZSIS.
OIA response
In response to your request, I can advise that the NZSIS does not hold any information about
a Five Eyes FMP or any records of encounters with UAP. As such, I am refusing your request
under section 18(e) of the OIA, as the documents requested do not exist.
Intelligence and security agency functions
For context, it might be helpful to explain more about the NZSIS’s functions. Our priorities,
called the National Security and Intelligence Priorities (NSIPs), are set by Government. The
NSIPs outline key areas of national security interest to the New Zealand Government – more
information can be found online
at www.dpmc.govt.nz.
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The key priorities relevant to the NZSIS and our functions are: foreign interference and
espionage, terrorism, regional stability, space security and threats to New Zealanders
overseas. Our remit in relation to space security is limited – our only role is in undertaking
national security risk assessments for all activities licensed or permitted under the Outer
Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017.
Review If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact
[NZSIS request email]. 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.
Please note that the NZSIS proactively publishes OIA responses in accordance with the
expectations of Te Kawa Mataaho/the Public Service Commission. We intend to publish this
letter (with your personal information removed) on the NZSIS website. Publication of such
responses is done on a quarterly basis.
Ngā mihi
On behalf of Andrew Hampton
Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Pā Whakamarumaru
Director-General of Security
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