Disclosure of Civil Aviation Authority's UAP/UFO Handling Protocols and Communications
Lee Jared made this Official Information request to Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand
The request was partially successful.
From: Lee Jared
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
From: OIA
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand
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.
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From: Lee Jared
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.
From: OIA
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand
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.
show quoted sections
From: OIA
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand
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
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