Official Information Request to the Ministry of Defence Regarding Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Reports and Investigations
Lee Jared made this Official Information request to Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence did not have the information requested.
From: Lee Jared
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.
From: Information
Ministry of Defence
Kia ora
Please find attached the response to your Official Information Act
request.
Ngā mihi
Ministry of Defence
+------------+
||Ministerial|
||and |
||Executive |
||Services |
||Branch |
|| |
||Manatū |
||Kaupapa |
||Waonga - |
||New Zealand|
||Ministry of|
||Defence |
|| |
|| |
|| |
|| |
|| |
||Defence |
||House, 34 |
||Bowen |
||Street, PO |
||Box 12703, |
||Wellington |
||6144, New |
||Zealand |
+------------+
-----Original Message-----
From: Lee Jared [mailto:[FOI #25749 email]]
Sent: Friday, 16 February 2024 11:00 a.m.
To: Information <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Official Information Request to
the Ministry of Defence Regarding Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP)
Reports and Investigations
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization.
Do not follow guidance, click links, or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe. If in any doubt please
forward the email to [1][email address] and then delete the email from
your Inbox. Thank you
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[2][FOI #25749 email]
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Note:
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Ministry. If you are not the intended recipient you must not use,
disclose, copy or distribute this message or the information in it. If you
have received this message in error, please email or telephone the sender
immediately. Thank you"
References
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2. mailto:[FOI #25749 email]
3. mailto:[Ministry of Defence request email]
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From: Lee Jared
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
From: Information
Ministry of Defence
Good afternoon Lee
Please find attached the Ministry's response to your below email regarding
our previous response. For your convenience, here are copies of the links
in the letter:
· [1]https://nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/contact...
·
[2]https://aviation.govt.nz/about-us/contac...
Yours sincerely
Adrian MacGregor
Managing Principal, Ministerial and Executive Services
Ministerial and Executive Services Branch
Manatū Kaupapa Waonga - New Zealand Ministry of Defence
Defence House, 34 Bowen Street, PO Box 12703, Wellington 6144, New Zealand
-----Original Message-----
From: Lee Jared [mailto:[FOI #25749 email]]
Sent: Saturday, 9 March 2024 5:46 p.m.
To: Information <[email address]>
Subject: Re: [unclassified] RE: Official Information request - Official
Information Request to the Ministry of Defence Regarding Unidentified
Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Reports and Investigations
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization.
Do not follow guidance, click links, or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe. If in any doubt please
forward the email to [3][email address] and then delete the email from
your Inbox. Thank you
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
-----Original Message-----
Kia ora
Please find attached the response to your Official Information Act
request.
Ngā mihi
Ministry of Defence
+------------+
||Ministerial|
||and |
||Executive |
||Services |
||Branch |
|| |
||Manatū |
||Kaupapa |
||Waonga - |
||New Zealand|
||Ministry of|
||Defence |
|| |
|| |
|| |
|| |
|| |
||Defence |
||House, 34 |
||Bowen |
||Street, PO |
||Box 12703, |
||Wellington |
||6144, New |
||Zealand |
+------------+
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[4][FOI #25749 email]
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[5]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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Note:
The information contained in this email message is intended only for the
addressee and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the
Ministry. If you are not the intended recipient you must not use,
disclose, copy or distribute this message or the information in it. If you
have received this message in error, please email or telephone the sender
immediately. Thank you"
References
Visible links
1. https://nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/contact...
2. https://aviation.govt.nz/about-us/contac...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[FOI #25749 email]
5. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
hide quoted sections
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R S Grant left an annotation ()
This response is not compliant with the OIA as it merely says that the Ministry does not hold the information. They are also required to consider whether another organisation might hold the information, and if they might then they should transfer the request to them. (Obvious examples for that would be the New Zealand Defence Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force.) To be compliant their response should also have said words to the effect of “…and we have no grounds to believe that any other organisation might hold the information”.
Link to this