24 February 2026
Stan Smith
By email: [FYI request #33606 email]
Kia ora Stan,
Response to request for information under Official Information Act 1982; 26/OIR/155
I refer to your Official Information request dated 29 January 2026 for the following information:
“any official information held by your department relating to the presence, operation, testing,
monitoring, or authorisation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, satel ites, aerial
sensor platforms, or other coordinated aerial or space-based systems operating over
Invercargil and elsewhere in New Zealand.
For approximately five years, I have continuously observed and recorded persistent aerial
activity in the Invercargil area. This activity is ongoing, structured, and repeatable. I have
captured extensive video footage over this period using night-vision recording equipment,
documenting objects and light sources operating at varying altitudes, including low-altitude
activity below conventional aircraft levels.
The recorded activity demonstrates coordinated movement and behaviour consistent with a
networked system of aerial platforms. The scale and persistence of this activity resemble a
distributed system of drones, satel ites, and nodes operating in concert, and it does not
correspond with known civilian aviation or recreational drone activity.
I am seeking clarification as to whether this activity relates to authorised government
operations, contracted third-party programmes, trials, research initiatives, or commercial
technologies operating within or over New Zealand airspace.
In particular, this request includes any information held by your agency concerning:
Any involvement, authorisation, monitoring, or awareness of aerial or satel ite-based systems
operated by, supplied by, or associated with SpaceX, Starlink, Elon Musk–control ed entities,
or their contractors; Any agreements, partnerships, approvals, briefings, correspondence, or
assessments involving foreign aerospace or technology companies operating aerial or space-
based platforms affecting New Zealand airspace; Coordinated or networked UAV or drone
operations, including low-altitude aerial platforms; Aerial surveil ance systems, sensor
networks, or autonomous or semi-autonomous technologies; The use of telecommunications
infrastructure, including 5G or related systems, in support of aerial or space-based platforms;
Any reports, assessments, correspondence, or incident records relating to persistent or
unexplained aerial activity reported by members of the public or other agencies.
I hold a substantial volume of recorded footage documenting this activity and am prepared to
supply this material if it assists in determining whether relevant information is held by your
agency.
If this request, or any part of it, is more closely connected with the functions of another
department or agency, I request that it be transferred in accordance with section 14 of the
Official Information Act.
PO Box 3555, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Email: [email address], Web: www.caa.govt.nz
If any information is withheld, please clearly state the grounds for refusal relied upon under
the Act.
Please provide the requested information in electronic form where possible.”
CAA Response
The CAA confirm we do not hold the information you have requested. As such, in accordance with
section 18(e) of the OIA we are unable to provide the information you have requested as the
document al eged to contain the information requested does not exist.
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.
If you wish to discuss this OIA decision with us, please contac
t [CAA request email].
Nga Mihi,
Resolutions Team | Rōpū Whakatau
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand |Te Mana Rererangi Tūmatanui o Aotearoa |
