On Saturday 12 September, exactly two years to the day since Kaikōura was officially recognised as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, we came together on the lawn at Fyffe House to celebrate. The clouds peeled back, the stars came out, and what a beautiful evening unfolded.
It was wonderful to see over 40 people come together, with community members and visitors to Kaikōura gathering around the fire pit, hot chocolate and treat in hand, sharing stories, enjoying good conversation and simply taking some time to look up.
We were fortunate to put our new binoculars and red lights, generously funded by the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (RASNZ), to good use. Along with three telescopes, they gave everyone the chance to explore some of the deep sky objects above us, while the laser pointer was used to help guide us around the night sky and point out some of the constellations.
For Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust Chair Lisa Bond, the evening was a reminder of what the Sanctuary is really about. “Two years on, it is wonderful to see so many people continuing to embrace and value our dark skies. Protecting them isn’t just about the stars above us, it’s about our wildlife, our environment and the special character of Kaikōura. What makes it work is our community getting behind it, and evenings like this are a lovely reminder that these incredible night skies are something we can all enjoy and help protect.”
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the evening, and to all those who continue to put in the mahi behind the scenes. You know who you are.
Over the past two years, the Trust has continued working with locals, businesses and organisations to build awareness of light pollution and, importantly, the simple changes we can all make to reduce it. From choosing warmer, fully shielded outdoor lighting to using timers and motion sensors so lights are only on when needed, small changes collectively make a very real difference.
Becoming an International Dark Sky Sanctuary was a huge achievement for Kaikōura but protecting that status is an ongoing community effort.
Here’s to keeping Kaikōura’s skies dark, our stars bright, and our community safe and connected.
Photo credit: with thanks to Rachel Gillespie