The Kaikōura Lights
On a night flight along the New Zealand coast, a TV crew filmed bright lights pacing their plane, while radar tracked unknown targets.
What was reported
In late December 1978, the crews of cargo flights along the east coast of New Zealand's South Island reported strange lights near Kaikōura, and air traffic controllers in Wellington saw unidentified returns on radar.
On the night of 30 to 31 December, an Australian television crew led by reporter Quentin Fogarty flew along the coast on an Argosy freight plane to investigate. They filmed bright, pulsing lights, one of which seemed to follow the plane, and the footage was broadcast around the world.
Explanations offered
Explanations suggested include the lights of squid-fishing boats, which use powerful lamps, reflections, the planet Venus and unusual atmospheric conditions. The crew and pilots rejected the simpler explanations. The case is still debated.
- When
- December 1978
- Where
- Off Kaikōura, South Island, New Zealand
- Witnesses
- Aircraft crews, a TV film crew and air traffic controllers
- Status
- Disputed
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.