In 1952, newspaper reports told of multiple sightings of two discs, one blue, one green, seen moving from one end of New Zealand to the other. Letters from all over the country gave accounts of sightings of the discs on December 6 and 7.
From the times and locations of sightings,
astronomers and newspapers determined the discs flew in to New Zealand together over Northland and split up to travel down the coast of the North and South islands (including sightings in Hawke's Bay) before rejoining in the far south.
Contained in the declassified UFO files is an official-looking 10-page report on the incident dated 1952, with the name of the author and organisation blacked out.
In it, the author states "There is no suggestion that it landed in New Zealand ... and the design "does not conform to those ordinarily adopted for aircraft".
The writer concludes the objects "do not suggest anything extra-terrestrial" but that "the whole business in fact suggests an aerial reconnaissance of New Zealand".
Reported sightings came from Taradale, Twyford and Longlands.
The reports caused a UFO frenzy for the rest of the 1950s and beyond, but eventually it was revealed to be all a hoax. Teacher Ken Nichol said 25 years later that he and fellow students sent the "sightings" letters to the Otago Daily Times in the holidays from different areas.
What an embarrassment for the Government department which spent time and money on the report and concluded something did happen.
