Is this UFO an extraterrestrial visitor or is it just a blur on the lens, a doctored image, or a large and misshapen bird?

Nobody knows for certain, however, the intriguing photo prompted telephone calls to a New Zealand national morning radio talk show from dozens of listeners who wanted to share their thoughts and opinions about the object after they saw it printed in the Otago Daily Times on 14 January 2003.

Independent Newspapers Ltd. of New Zealand reports that the picture was taken by Mr. Tom Ueyama of Dunedin, New Zealand. Ueyama was left mystified as to what the disk shaped object was that appeared in his shot of the Cardrona bra fence photographed on 28 December 2002.

On 15 January 2003, dozens of people telephoned the Auckland based station to discuss their own UFO experiences. Some reported sightings in the lower South Island describing UFOs similar to the object in the Mr. Ueyama's bra fence photograph.

Mac Lotter of Waikouaiti called the ODT on 15 January 2003 and told of what he saw while driving from Waikouaiti to Palmerston shortly after Christmas 2002.

"There was something in the sky which looked to be levelling up with me from a distance. It was a really clear day and it was so vivid," said Mr. Lotter, who does not believe in UFOs.

He described the object as a pure white flat saucer shape.

"I stopped to get my camera, but when I looked up again it had vanished."

Peter Jaquiery, president of the Dunedin Astronomical Society, said there was nothing "particularly obvious" about the object.

Jacquiery continued, "I am a bit intrigued about the dark area above it, but that
doesn't indicate anything obvious either."

He said he doubted it was the craft of an extraterrestrial visitor.

A spokesman for the Royal New Zealand Air Force confirmed no air force planes were in the area around the time in question.