Official Information Request Regarding Geoengineering Activities and National Engagement
Logan Cowan made this Official Information request to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Response to this request is delayed. By law, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade should normally have responded promptly and by (details and exceptions)
From: Logan Cowan
Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
Under the Official Information Act 1982, I am formally requesting access to the following information, which may be held, accessed, or otherwise made available to the New Zealand Government or any associated government entities, regardless of whether this information is physically stored on New Zealand servers or external platforms. This request concerns New Zealand’s involvement, awareness, or position with respect to geoengineering activities, such as weather modification, solar radiation management, and related climate intervention strategies, particularly in collaboration with foreign governments and private entities.
I request the following information:
Any documents, communications, or records from the New Zealand Government, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC), and any other relevant government departments or agencies, that reference New Zealand’s position, participation, or knowledge regarding geoengineering activities, both in New Zealand and internationally, from January 1, 2010, to the present. This includes any reports, correspondence, or internal documents, irrespective of the location where these records are stored (including external databases or servers).
Any records, emails, or reports between New Zealand Government agencies (such as MFAT, DPMC, or the Ministry for the Environment) and foreign governments, international organizations (e.g., the United Nations, World Meteorological Organization), and private companies, discussing or referencing geoengineering projects, weather modification, or similar initiatives, including any projects potentially being run by or in collaboration with foreign entities, such as the United States Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Air Force, or private contractors with ties to New Zealand’s climate strategy.
Any internal memoranda or briefing documents produced by the New Zealand Government or the Ministry of Defence that discuss the potential environmental, economic, and national security impacts of geoengineering strategies, and New Zealand’s potential role or awareness of such practices, especially when implemented by foreign military agencies or private contractors operating in New Zealand’s airspace or territory.
It is well-documented in the public domain that geoengineering practices, such as weather modification and solar geoengineering, are not confined to theoretical discussions but are actively pursued by several foreign nations, including the United States, China, and other global powers. Examples of these activities include the U.S. Air Force’s weather modification programs (e.g., HAARP), and international discussions about solar geoengineering at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Given New Zealand’s international engagement and security obligations, it is reasonable to assume that New Zealand has knowledge of, or involvement in, such activities.
As geoengineering has far-reaching consequences for national security, environmental policy, and international relations, I believe the public interest in accessing this information outweighs any possible exemption under the Official Information Act. If any part of this request is denied or withheld, I request a detailed explanation of the specific exemption invoked, along with the legal justification for withholding each document, citing the relevant sections of the Act.
I trust that the information will be provided in full, with only truly exempted portions redacted. If any documents or records regarding this request are stored externally or pertain to foreign government operations (including the U.S. Air Force or private contractors), I request guidance on how this information can be made available or accessed through appropriate channels.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving a response within the legal timeframe.
Yours faithfully,
Logan Cowan
From: ENQUIRIES
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Kia ora and thank you for your email.
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For all other enquiries, you will receive a response in due course.
Ngâ mihi
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From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
UNCLASSIFIED
Tēnā koe Logan Cowan,
Thank you for your email of 4 March 2025, requesting information under the Official Information Act (1982). At this stage, we need some information from you to confirm whether you are eligible to make an OIA request.
Section 12(1) of the OIA specifies who can use it to seek information from government agencies. You are eligible to make an OIA requests if you are a:
(a) New Zealand citizen; or
(b) Permanent resident of New Zealand; or
(c) Person who is in New Zealand; or
(d) Body corporate which is incorporated in New Zealand; or
(e) Body corporate which is incorporated outside New Zealand but which has a place of business in New Zealand.
Please confirm by return email that you fulfil one of the criteria outlined above and provide evidence of your eligibility. We will continue processing your OIA request once we have received this confirmation.
Ngā mihi
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere
195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand
http://www.mfat.govt.nz/ | http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
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From: ENQUIRIES
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
UNCLASSIFIED
Kia ora Logan Cowan
Thank you for your OIA request received on 4 March 2025 for:
Any documents, communications, or records from the New Zealand Government, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC), and any other relevant government departments or agencies, that reference New Zealand’s position, participation, or knowledge regarding geoengineering activities, both in New Zealand and internationally, from January 1, 2010, to the present. This includes any reports, correspondence, or internal documents, irrespective of the location where these records are stored (including external databases or servers).
Any records, emails, or reports between New Zealand Government agencies (such as MFAT, DPMC, or the Ministry for the Environment) and foreign governments, international organizations (e.g., the United Nations, World Meteorological Organization), and private companies, discussing or referencing geoengineering projects, weather modification, or similar initiatives, including any projects potentially being run by or in collaboration with foreign entities, such as the United States Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Air Force, or private contractors with ties to New Zealand’s climate strategy.
Any internal memoranda or briefing documents produced by the New Zealand Government or the Ministry of Defence that discuss the potential environmental, economic, and national security impacts of geoengineering strategies, and New Zealand’s potential role or awareness of such practices, especially when implemented by foreign military agencies or private contractors operating in New Zealand’s airspace or territory.
This email confirms receipt of your request and advises that we will respond to it as soon as reasonably practicable, and in terms of the timeframes and requirements of the OIA.
Please note that our response letter to you (with your personal details redacted), and any enclosed documents, may be published on the Ministry’s website.
Ngā mihi
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere
UNCLASSIFIED
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From: Logan Cowan
Hello,
I confirm that I am a New Zealand citizen residing in New Zealand, fulfilling the criteria under Section 12(1) of the Official Information Act. However, I will not be submitting personal details through public channels such as the FYI.org.nz platform, and I am surprised that you would request this. Additionally, I cannot provide the requested evidence via reply email, as you did not email me directly but instead responded via a public website.
If you still require my personal details, please advise on a secure, private, and encrypted means of submission. If the request for personal information was made in error, I will await your response regarding my initial information request.
Yours sincerely,
Logan Cowan
From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
UNCLASSIFIED
Thank you for the prompt response Logan,
The [email address] email address is secure, can you please submit your proof of eligibility to this address? If you are concerned about doing so via the FYI website, you may wish to use an alternative, private email account.
Your OIA response would still be sent via FYI - unless you request otherwise.
Ngā mihi
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere
195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand
http://www.mfat.govt.nz/ | http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
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From: Logan Cowan
Dear ESD,
Thank you for your response. I am still having difficulty identifying the specific email address to which I should send my proof of eligibility. I do not see any email address mentioned in your previous messages for this purpose.
The link you provided (https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers#mobiles) discusses FYI's process for publishing email addresses and phone numbers, but I did not see an email address relevant to this request. It's possible that the email address you inserted in your last message was automatically redacted or re-linked by FYI upon submission.
So, could you kindly clarify the correct email address where I should send my proof of eligibility? Additionally, please let me know the appropriate subject line for the email or any other way to identify it as related to this enquiry. Once I have the correct contact details and instructions, I will promptly forward the information.
As mentioned before, I am not comfortable submitting personal documentation through a public platform like the FYI.org.nz website, and I do not consent to any of my personally identifiable information being published in connection with this OIA request. I expect that all private and personally identifiable details shared will remain confidential and will not be made publicly accessible.
Thank you for your understanding, and I look forward to your clarification.
Yours sincerely,
Logan Cowan
From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
UNCLASSIFIED
Tçnâ koe Logan,
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website
([1]https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/about-us/con...)
provides an email address you can send this information to. It is under
the 'how to make an OIA request' subheading.
The subject line you have used for this correspondence can be used to
establish a link to this request. For clarity that subject line is:
'Official Information request - Official Information Request Regarding
Geoengineering Activities and National Engagement.'
Regarding your personal information our response letters are addressed to
the recipient of the OIA response. This would be the name you have used on
FYI. If your legal name differs, we will make sure there is no reference
to this in the response.
Ngâ mihi
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatû Aorere
195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand
www.mfat.govt.nz | www.safetravel.govt.nz
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
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From: Logan Cowan
Dear ESD,
Thank you for your response.
I sent my eligibility documentation to the email address provided on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website, using the correct subject line as instructed.
If there are any further steps or details required, please let me know.
Yours sincerely,
Logan
From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
UNCLASSIFIED
Tēnā koe Logan Cowan,
I am writing concerning your Official Information Act request below, to advise that responding to your request as currently framed would require review of a significant amount of information, to locate information potentially in scope. As such, it is likely that your request will be refused under section 18(f) of the OIA, as it would require substantial collation and research.
Accordingly, I am seeking your agreement to refine your request to be for:
Briefings, reporting and advice to The Minister of Foreign Affairs concerning the proposed United Nations Environment Assembly resolution concerning geoengineering.
Please confirm if you are happy to proceed with the refined request above, by 26 March 2025. If we do not hear from you, we will proceed with your original request.
Ngā mihi
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere
________________________________________
195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand
http://www.mfat.govt.nz/ | http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
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From: Logan Cowan
Hello,
Thank you for your response. However, I must be clear: I will not accept any attempt to dilute my request, nor will I entertain the threat of refusal due to scope or research requirements. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is required to provide the information I have requested under the Official Information Act (OIA), regardless of the level of effort involved in locating and compiling it. It is precisely the Ministry’s role to fulfill such requests, as public servants to the people, not to turn away from providing the information we are entitled to.
I insist that you proceed with processing my original request without any alterations. My request is clear, and I expect all relevant information to be provided in full, without reduction or modification.
I look forward to receiving the requested information in its entirety.
Regards,
Logan.
From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
UNCLASSIFIED
Tēnā koe Logan Cowan
We are writing in regards to your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA)
request of 4 March 2025 which asks for:
Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
Under the Official Information Act 1982, I am formally requesting access
to the following information, which may be held, accessed, or otherwise
made available to the New Zealand Government or any associated government
entities, regardless of whether this information is physically stored on
New Zealand servers or external platforms. This request concerns New
Zealand’s involvement, awareness, or position with respect to
geoengineering activities, such as weather modification, solar radiation
management, and related climate intervention strategies, particularly in
collaboration with foreign governments and private entities.
I request the following information:
Any documents, communications, or records from the New Zealand Government,
including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Department of
the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC), and any other relevant government
departments or agencies, that reference New Zealand’s position,
participation, or knowledge regarding geoengineering activities, both in
New Zealand and internationally, from January 1, 2010, to the present.
This includes any reports, correspondence, or internal documents,
irrespective of the location where these records are stored (including
external databases or servers).
Any records, emails, or reports between New Zealand Government agencies
(such as MFAT, DPMC, or the Ministry for the Environment) and foreign
governments, international organizations (e.g., the United Nations, World
Meteorological Organization), and private companies, discussing or
referencing geoengineering projects, weather modification, or similar
initiatives, including any projects potentially being run by or in
collaboration with foreign entities, such as the United States Department
of Defense (DoD), U.S. Air Force, or private contractors with ties to New
Zealand’s climate strategy.
Any internal memoranda or briefing documents produced by the New Zealand
Government or the Ministry of Defence that discuss the potential
environmental, economic, and national security impacts of geoengineering
strategies, and New Zealand’s potential role or awareness of such
practices, especially when implemented by foreign military agencies or
private contractors operating in New Zealand’s airspace or territory.
It is well-documented in the public domain that geoengineering practices,
such as weather modification and solar geoengineering, are not confined to
theoretical discussions but are actively pursued by several foreign
nations, including the United States, China, and other global powers.
Examples of these activities include the U.S. Air Force’s weather
modification programs (e.g., HAARP), and international discussions about
solar geoengineering at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC). Given New Zealand’s international engagement and security
obligations, it is reasonable to assume that New Zealand has knowledge of,
or involvement in, such activities.
As geoengineering has far-reaching consequences for national security,
environmental policy, and international relations, I believe the public
interest in accessing this information outweighs any possible exemption
under the Official Information Act. If any part of this request is denied
or withheld, I request a detailed explanation of the specific exemption
invoked, along with the legal justification for withholding each document,
citing the relevant sections of the Act.
I trust that the information will be provided in full, with only truly
exempted portions redacted. If any documents or records regarding this
request are stored externally or pertain to foreign government operations
(including the U.S. Air Force or private contractors), I request guidance
on how this information can be made available or accessed through
appropriate channels.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving a
response within the legal timeframe.
This email is to advise that we will need to extend the time limit for
responding to you by 20 working days, to 2 May 2025. This is because
responding to your request necessitates the review of a large quantity of
information, and meeting the original time limit would unreasonably
interfere with the operations of the Ministry (section 15A(1)(a) of the
OIA refers).
However, if this process is completed before 2 May 2025, the response will
be sent to you as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, you can contact us by email at:
[1]DM‑[email address]. You have the right to seek an investigation and
review by the Ombudsman of this decision by contacting
[2]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Kind regards
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere
-----------------------------------------------------------------
195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand
[3]www.mfat.govt.nz | [4]www.safetravel.govt.nz
[5]www.mfat.govt.nz | [6]www.embassy.govt.nz | [7]www.aid.govt.nz |
[8]www.safetravel.govt.nz
UNCLASSIFIED
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