New Zealand Kaikoura Coast: Radar-Visual-Film UFO Encounters Over Three Nights
Over New Zealand's Canterbury Coast, on December 22, 30, and 31, 1978, extraordinary aerial events were documented with simultaneous radar, visual, and photographic evidence — an unprecedented combination. Wellington ATC confirmed five objects on radar; one approached a freighter at 10,800 mph. A TV crew from Channel 0 Melbourne filmed objects on the Dec 30-31 flights. The footage showed a brightly lit base with possibly a transparent dome. No scientist came forward to explain the radar/visual/photographic sightings.
Background
Over New Zealand's Canterbury Coast, on December 22 and again on the 30th and 31st, extraordinary aerial events captured the attention of the public and the Royal New Zealand Air Force, which placed fighter interceptors on standby. Never before had there been simultaneous radar, visual, and photographic connections in a UFO incident.
December 22
At 12:30 a.m., an Argosy cargo airplane heading toward the South Island reported 'white lights similar to landing lights.' Wellington ATC radar confirmed five objects. A second Argosy also encountered five unknowns. One approached the freighter at 'twenty-four kilometers in five seconds' (equivalent to 10,800 mph).
December 30-31 (Filmed)
Channel 0 Melbourne sent a reporter and camera crew aboard an Argosy. They filmed bright globules of light pulsating and expanding over the town of Kaikoura. On December 31, the special-cargo Argosy filmed an object with a brightly lit base and perhaps a transparent dome. No scientist came forward to explain these radar/visual/photographic sightings.
Significance
First UFO case with simultaneous radar, visual, and film documentation — never satisfactorily explained.