IR-01-24-40562
16 December 2024
James
[FYI request #29230 email]
Dear James
Request for information
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request of 18 November 2024, in
which you requested information about drone use over the hikoi in Auckland.
My response to each part of your request can be found below.
Were police aware at the time of a drone filming the hikoi on the motorway and
part way up the harbour bridge? If yes, please provide all communications and
details around this event.
Yes, Police become aware of a drone flying at approximately 9.45am at the crest of the
Harbour Bridge. Please refer to the attached relating to this noting some information has
been withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the OIA to protect the privacy of natural persons.
Any notes, details and communications concerning permission given or
requested regarding drone use to film the hikoi on the bridge and motorway.
Police does not have airspace control as this regulatory function sits with the Civil
Aviation Authority (CAA). Police did not have any request for permission, or the ability to
grant or deny that permission, from the drone pilot. Please refer to the
www.aviation.govt.nz website for more information.
Details of interactions if any, with the drone pilot on the day. Number of police
tasked with overseeing the drone use on the day.
Police did locate and speak to the drone pilot and reminded them of their obligations to
comply with their requirements to fly.
The resources used to detect and investigate drone flights are withheld under the
following sections of the OIA:
• 6(a): the making available of that information would be likely to prejudice the
security or defence of New Zealand or the international relations of the
Government of New Zealand
•
9(2)(c): to avoid prejudice to measures protecting the health or safety of
members of the public.
Number of police deployed in total, tasked specifically with the overseeing the safe
crossing of the Harbour bridge by the hikoi.
Police assigned 22 staff to move on foot with the hikoi as it crossed Auckland Harbour
Bridge.
Given the huge risk to public safety, measures taken by police to stop unauthorised
drone use.
The CAA are the agency responsible for the safe flying of drones. In this case Police
spoke to the pilot to ensure the drone use was compliant with CAA rules.
www.airshare.co.nz provide a simplified version of these rules.
Was the Harbour bridge anti drone system triggered in any way, on the day of the
hikoi? If yes, please provide details.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge does not have an anti-drone system.
Please note that as part of its commitment to openness and transparency, Police
proactively releases some information and documents that may be of interest to the
public. An anonymised version of this response may be publicly released on the New
Zealand Police website.
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.
Yours sincerely
Marc Paynter
Inspector
New Zealand Police
Record [148900085109] - Intelligence Noting, 13/11/2024, 10:07, OP DOVE
Record [148900085109] - Intelligence Noting, 13/11/2024, 10:07, OP DOVE
Summary
Occurred Dates and Times
On/From:
Wed 13/11/2024 10:07:00
Category:
Intelligence Noting
Type:
Car/Person Acting Suspiciously
Reporting channel:
Officer - discovered
Scene station:
Glenfield
Reporting station:
North Shore Policing Centre
Subject:
Operation Dove - Drone Usage
Reference:
OP DOVE
Location:
(At) 2 Queen Street, Northcote Point, Auckland 0627
Narrative:
Created by WSW676 13/11/2024 10:20
Created on 13 Nov 2024 at 10:07hrs
s9(2)(a)
ands9(2)(a)
spoken to at The Wharf, Northcote
Point. Both are amateur operators and refused to cease drone flying stating they were
allowed to be law. They were explicitly warned police eagle helicopter was operating
in the area which could be a risk to safety. Both warned against obstructing the police
helicopter through their drone usage.
Summary >>>> Member
Reporting member
User ID:
WSW676
Rank & name:
Stainton, Warwick
Workgroup:
Road Policing Teams
W/G station:
North Shore Policing Centre
Creating member
Date/time:
Wed 13/11/2024 10:20:15
User ID:
WSW676
Rank & name:
Stainton, Warwick
Workgroup:
Road Policing Teams
W/G station:
North Shore Policing Centre
Summary >>>> Last Modified
Modifying member
Date/time:
Wed 13/11/2024 10:20:16
User ID:
WSW676
Rank & name:
Stainton, Warwick
Workgroup:
Road Policing Teams
W/G station:
North Shore Policing Centre
Analyst Details
Reliability rating
Source reliability:
A-Completely Reliable
Information reliability:
1-Confirmed
Visual Linker
Existing Links in this record
Created in Type
Description
Link Type
Type
Description
this
Record
Yes
Person
Police, s9(2)(a)
Home
Telephone s9(2)(a)
Number
IN CONFIDENCE. This document contains personal information and should not be used or disclosed in breach of the Privacy Act 2020. Information should only
be used or disclosed in accordance with the Criminal Disclosure Act 2008 or the Information Privacy Principles in section 22 of the Privacy Act. Information
may be able to be withheld, and may be subject to the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004. Please take guidance from your supervisor if you are unsure
what documents can be released. The Privacy Officer at PNHQ can provide advice on this.
CWCU90
1
06/12/2024
Detailed report
12:02
Record [148900085109] - Intelligence Noting, 13/11/2024, 10:07, OP DOVE
Existing Links in this record
Created in Type
Description
Link Type
Type
Description
this
Record
Yes
Person
s9(2)(a)
Spoken To At
Location
s9(2)(a)
Yes
Person
Spoken To At
Location
No
Person
Home
Telephone
Number
No
Person
Cell
Telephone
Number
External References
External References (1)
Source External Reference
Type
Created On
Police
ca3e20ca-2ba8-48ef-abf1-e2ce45b04660
eQuip Record Id
13/11/2024 10:20
Containing >>>> Persons
Persons (2)
Al Sour Gen
Name
DOB
Address
PRN
Driver
er ce
der
Licence No.
ts
s9(2)(a)
N
Police Male
N
Police Male
Containing >>>> Locations
Locations (1)
Aler Geo Coded
Location Details
Proximity
Common Names
ts
No
Geocoded NIA
2 Queen Street, Northcote Point, Auckland
Occurred At Northcote Wharf Northcote Point
Location
0627
Containing >>>> Tel. Numbers
Telephone Numbers
Area
Base Number
Ext.
Town Located
Usage
Country Code
Country Located
N s9(2)(a)
New Zealand - 64
N
New Zealand - 64
Attachments
Attachments (1)
Associated To
File Details
Type
Intelligence
Noting Officer Copy - WSW676 - 20241113-1007 - Noting
Noting,13.11.2024,10.07.00,Op
148900085109.pdf
Dove,2 Queen Street, Northcote
Point, Auckland 0627
IN CONFIDENCE. This document contains personal information and should not be used or disclosed in breach of the Privacy Act 2020. Information should only
be used or disclosed in accordance with the Criminal Disclosure Act 2008 or the Information Privacy Principles in section 22 of the Privacy Act. Information
may be able to be withheld, and may be subject to the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004. Please take guidance from your supervisor if you are unsure
what documents can be released. The Privacy Officer at PNHQ can provide advice on this.
CWCU90
2
06/12/2024
Detailed report
12:02
From:
FERGUS, Mark
To:
FORDYCE, Pauline
Subject:
Op Dove OIA - TM Phase
Date:
Monday, 2 December 2024 11:34:38
Attachments:
image001.png
Re Drone query:
Source: RIOD Log – Op Dove
Reference : RLE:0044991
Wed 13 Nov 2024 09:48
Description: Drone above Harbour Bridge
Notes:
A drone has been seen at the crest of the Harbour Bridge. Drone is filming the Hikoi. No operator
is known. Eagle are on scene and aware of the drone. They have observations on the drone, so
no safety concerns for Eagle.
Image of operator circulated via teams chat,.
10005 hrs S/Sgt W Stanton, MWays has located drone operator, aware of lawful airspace
requirements. No intention follow beyond HB. Advised that no drone flights permissible within
4KM radius of heliport at Tamaki Drive should they choose to continue to follow Hikoi. Also
advise to be aware of Eagle having priority airspace.
-ends-
Mark Fergus
Inspector
District Manager: Operations and Support
Waitemata District
Cell: s9(2)(a)
E [email address]
[]
Image of drone operator to
fol ow.
s9(2)(a)
AAL 10/2 harbour bridge
ANDERSON, Graeme (Grae)
Image of drone operator to fol ow.
Confirm location of that drone operator please That image is from an intersection by Stafford
Park I cant see or hear a drone fyi
Getting a few more vehicles stopping on the motorway, Motorways unit 10.2
Fisherman’s Wharf Drone Operators s9(2)(a)
Both warned against obstructing
Eagle. Noting entered.
Do we have a cut off time for groups entering at Stafford? I know the 11.30 cut off relates to
getting off the bridge.
