The Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust is delighted to see Kaikōura’s State Highway 1 lighting upgrade featured in a recent case study by Energy Light.
The project demonstrates how road safety, environmental protection and dark sky preservation can work hand in hand when organisations collaborate towards a common goal.
Leading up to Kaikōura’s International Dark Sky Sanctuary accreditation in 2024, NZTA/Waka Kotahi, Energy Light, MainPower, Kaikōura District Council and the Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust worked together to improve lighting along key sections of SH1 through the district. The upgrades focused on delivering safer roads and pedestrian areas while reducing unnecessary light spill and protecting the natural darkness that makes Kaikōura so special.
The new lighting uses warm-coloured LEDs, careful shielding and smart dimming technology to direct light only where it is needed. This reduces light pollution, lowers energy consumption and helps protect local wildlife, including the endangered Hutton’s shearwater.
What makes this project particularly significant is the collaboration behind it. From the initial vision through to design, installation and monitoring, numerous organisations contributed their expertise to achieve an outcome that balances safety, sustainability and environmental stewardship.
The Energy Light case study reports that the smart lighting system has achieved significant reductions in energy use, carbon emissions and light pollution while maintaining appropriate lighting levels for road users.
For the Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust, this project is a great example of what can be achieved when communities, councils, infrastructure providers and industry partners work together. It also highlights that protecting our night skies does not mean turning lights off; it means using the right light, in the right place, at the right time.
As Kaikōura continues its dark sky journey, projects like this provide a practical model for how lighting can support both people and the environment.
You can read the full case study here:
Smart Lighting for Safer Roads and a Darker Sky
Photo credit: Energy Light/Andrew Spencer