Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to request access to information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) regarding the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) involvement with Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) topic, reports and investigations.

I kindly request the following:

1. Documentation of UAP/UFO Sightings Reports Received:
Please provide any documents, reports, or records held by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) 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. MOD Protocols and Procedures for Handling UAP/UFO Reports:
Request information regarding the Ministry of Defence's 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. MOD Communication with Other Agencies Regarding UAP/UFO Reports:
Request any correspondence, communications, or exchanges between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and other government agencies or authorities 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.

4. Documentation Regarding UAP/UFO Research or Studies:
Please provide any documentation, research reports, or studies conducted or commissioned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) regarding Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) or Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). This may include internal memos, research findings, or any other related documents.

I understand that some information may be sensitive or classified, and I am open to receiving redacted versions of documents if necessary.

Sincerely.

Dear Anton Youngman,

I hope this message finds you well.

This is a reply to a response by the Ministry of Defence on 16 February 2024 regarding my request for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) about Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). The decision, based on section 18(g)(i) of the OIA, indicated that the Ministry does not hold any information involving my request.

After reviewing the OIA's section 14 regarding the transfer of requests, I believe there is a need for clarification on the Ministry's response. Section 14 outlines a process for transferring requests to another entity if the requested information is closer associated with their functions.

A public note by R S Grant pointed out the expectation for the original recipient of a request to consider if another agency might hold the relevant information, and transferring the request where appropriate. Giventhe established referral practices between NZDF and CAA regarding UAP reports as detailed in their response to Andrew Arkins (OIA-2023-4800).

I would appreciate your assistance in clarifying a few points:

1. Rationale Behind Transfer Decision: Please kindly elaborate on the Ministry's process for determining not to transfer my request to another entity, in line with section 14 of the OIA?

2. Assessment of Information Handling: Has the MOD considered whether the information requested might be held by another organization, such as the NZDF or CAA, which might be more closely related to the subject matter of my request?

3. Consultation Efforts: Please outline any steps taken to consult with other agencies regarding my request, as encouraged by section 18B of the OIA when a request is likely to be refused under sections 18(e) or (f).

Thank you very much for considering this further inquiry. I look forward to your response and am happy to discuss any of these points in more detail if that would be helpful.

Warm regards,
Lee Jared