Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/34903-request-for-clarification-regarding-oia-2025-26-0798?unfold=1 on June 17, 2026 04:23

Request for clarification regarding OIA-2025/26-0798

Andrew Arkins made this Official Information request to Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Currently waiting for a response from Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, they must respond promptly and normally no later than (details and exceptions).

From: Andrew Arkins

Dear Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet,

Thank you for DPMC’s response dated 16 June 2026 regarding OIA-2025/26-0798.

I note that DPMC refused the request under section 18(g) of the Official Information Act on the basis that it holds no relevant material, and that it has no grounds for believing such information is held by, or more closely connected with the functions of, another agency.

Before deciding whether to seek a review by the Ombudsman, I would appreciate clarification about the searches and enquiries undertaken to reach that conclusion.

Specifically, could DPMC please confirm:

Which business units, teams, offices, and information repositories were searched.

Whether the National Security Group and National Assessments Bureau were consulted directly.

Whether staff responsible for the National Security Intelligence Priorities process were consulted.

Which search terms and variants were used, including whether searches covered terms such as:

UAP

UFO

unidentified anomalous phenomena

unidentified aerial phenomena

AARO

Five Eyes UAP Caucus

FVEY UAP

PURSUE

air-domain awareness

anomalous observations

space-domain awareness

Whether searches covered email systems, document-management systems, ministerial briefings, meeting records, calendar entries, internal messaging systems, intelligence assessments, and inter-agency correspondence.

Whether records were searched by reference to the date of the Five Eyes Inaugural UAP Caucus Working Group, 24 May 2023, rather than only by topic label.

Whether DPMC consulted NZDF, GCSB, NZSIS, MFAT, the Ministry of Defence, or any other agency before concluding that there were no grounds to transfer any part of the request under section 14.

How DPMC reconciled that conclusion with NZDF’s written confirmation that a New Zealand representative attended the Five Eyes Inaugural UAP Caucus Working Group at the Pentagon on 24 May 2023.

I am not asking DPMC to create new substantive information. I am seeking clarification about the reasonable searches, enquiries, and transfer considerations undertaken in reaching the section 18(g) decision.

I would appreciate a response within a reasonable timeframe.

Kind regards,

Andrew Arkins

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From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Tēnā koe, 

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Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
Link: [6]File-List
Link: [7]Edit-Time-Data
Link: [8]themeData
Link: [9]colorSchemeMapping

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References

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1. https://dpmc.govt.nz
https://dpmc.govt.nz/
2. https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involve...
https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involve...
3. http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
4. https://centralagenciesjobs.cass.govt.nz...
https://centralagenciesjobs.cass.govt.nz...
5. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/
6. file:///tmp/Signature_files/filelist.xml
7. file:///tmp/Signature_files/editdata.mso
8. file:///tmp/Signature_files/themedata.thmx
9. file:///tmp/Signature_files/colorschememapping.xml

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