DARK SKY KAIKŌURA
Kaikōura International Dark Sky Sanctuary
DarkSky International officially designated the Kaikōura International Dark Sky Sanctuary on 12 September 2024 – read all about it
Blessed with stunning scenery, world-famous marine life and unique birds. The land (whenua) and the sea (moana) of Kaikōura are celebrated and cherished throughout New Zealand and the world.
Filled with stars, celestial wonders and a stunningly clear Milky Way (Te Ikaroa) – It’s time to celebrate the pristine dark skies of Kaikōura as one of our hidden gems.
Our Mission
To encourage the enjoyment, enhancement, and preservation of the exceptional dark skies of Kaikōura
About the dark sky vision
The Kaikōura Dark Skies initiative was formed in 2020 by a group of volunteers and local astronomers. The last two remaining wild breeding colonies on Earth of the Hutton’s shearwater are found in the Kaikōura Ranges. This highly endangered species is drawn to city lights at night where they crash land and often die. Protection of this species by controlling artificial light at night helped to inspire the formation of the Kaikōura Dark Sky movement.
On the 12th September 2024, the journey to become an International Dark Sky Sanctuary status was achieved. It has been a collaborative effort involving our local community, passionate volunteers, environmental organisations and government agencies all of whom play a crucial role. Find out more about our sanctuary, the quality of our night sky and the Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust.
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Enjoy our night sky
You can enjoy a pristine night sky anywhere in Kaikōura, but we’ve shared our favourite spots for relaxed star-bathing and exceptional stargazing. Read our top tips on how to enhance your stargazing skills, alongside monthly astro information and Nasa’s image of the day.
Protect our night sky
We are working together as a community to improve our outdoor lighting. This doesn’t mean we need to turn off all the lights, its about approved lighting being used more efficiently. Read more about light pollution, its effects, and how we can easily and instantly reduce it.
Find out more
- Our news
- Downloadable brochures & guides
- Other resources
