18 November 2025
OIAD-1802
Chris McCashin
[FYI request #32626 email] Tēnā koe Chris
Thank you for your email of 22 October 2025 requesting the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
…It is noted that the Ministry for the Environment has publicly stated there is no
evidence to suggest that geoengineering activities are currently taking place in New
Zealand. In accordance with the OIA, I request the following information regarding all
claims, public correspondence, and internal investigative or evaluative work relating
to geoengineering in New Zealand since 1 January 2005
Public Correspondence and Claims
The total number of complaints, reports, emails, and messages received from the
public relating to allegations, concerns, or evidence of geoengineering occurring in
New Zealand. Copies of all correspondence, emails, messages, and any evidence
provided by the public regarding geoengineering for the requested timeframe.
Investigative Actions and Assessments:
Detailed outline of any and all investigations, research, studies, or assessments
conducted by the Ministry relating to claims of geoengineering. The names or
descriptions of the team(s) or staff units responsible for investigating or evaluating
such claims, and their terms of engagement or reference. Any documentation or
results from environmental testing (e.g., rainwater, soil tests, air-quality etc etc)
connected to claims or suspicions of geoengineering. All reports, findings, or analyses
produced by or for the Ministry that address, refute, or otherwise relate to public claims
of geoengineering in New Zealand.
Internal Communications and Decision-Making:
Copies of any internal memos, meeting notes, email correspondence, or other
communications between Ministry staff relating to geoengineering claims and/or the
Ministry’s responses to these claims. Any documentation explaining the Ministry’s
rationale or criteria for choosing to investigate, or not investigate, specific complaints
or claims regarding geoengineering. I request that this information covers the period
from 1 January 2005 to the present day. If any part of my request is likely to be refused
under the Act, I ask that you consider releasing any information that can be made
available.
I am writing to notify you that the Ministry for the Environment is extending the timeframe for
its response to your request under section 15A(1)(a) of the Act, as the request necessitates
a search through a large quantity of information and meeting the original time limit would
unreasonably interfere with the operations of the department.
We will now respond to your request on, if not before, 4 December 2025, which is an
extension of ten working days.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of my decision
on this request, in accordance with section 28(3) of the Act. The relevant details can be
found a
t: www.ombudsman.parliament.nz. Nāku noa, nā
Lachlan Brown Team Leader, Ministerial Services
Ministry for the Environment | Manatū Mō Te Taiao
