Following the recent upgrade of State Highway 1 lighting through Kaikōura, which significantly reduced township skyglow, individual bright white and unshielded lights that remain on throughout the night have become much more noticeable as the feature image highlights.
Several Kaikōura businesses are helping protect the district’s night environment by making simple changes to their outdoor lighting showing that reducing light pollution doesn’t have to mean compromising safety or security. movement occurs.
The Trust is very grateful to these local businesses that have responded positively when approached about their lighting and have been willing to make changes.
Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust Project Coordinator Colette Doughty said often the changes required are relatively simple. “It’s about looking at whether a light really needs to be on for eight or ten hours when nobody is there. Sometimes a relatively inexpensive motion sensor is all that’s needed. Alternatively use fully shielded warm lights. It’s simply about using the right light, in the right place, at the right time.”
NZ Post depot
One recent example is the NZ Post depot, where two bright outdoor floodlights previously operated throughout the night. These have been moved onto motion sensors, so lights come on when the overnight delivery truck arrives and again when staff arrive early in the morning, but remain off when the site is not being used.
Goodman Fielder storage facility
The Goodman Fielder New Zealand Limited storage facility behind Black Rabbit, operated locally by D&Y Mackle Contracting, has also made a welcome change. A large floodlight that previously remained on throughout the night has been fitted with a motion sensor.
Ian Pearce, National Depot Manager for Goodman Fielder New Zealand Limited, said: “The change was straightforward, security is still maintained and we’re no longer using power to run the light all night.”
Liquid Laundromat Kaikōura
The new Liquid Laundromat Kaikōura opened with very bright white lighting inside and out. Following discussions, the three outside lights were replaced with fully shielded fittings with warm white bulbs, and work has also been done to reduce the brightness of the sign. The very bright indoor lights are apparently more difficult to change, but the company is looking into sourcing warmer-colour LED bulbs.
Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust Chair Lisa Bond said these relatively small changes collectively make a significant difference in reducing light pollution across the town and we are incredibly grateful to the businesses that have been willing to work with us.”
The Trust would love to hear from other Kaikōura businesses interested in reviewing their outdoor lighting. The team is happy to provide practical advice and help identify simple, practical and often inexpensive changes that can reduce unnecessary light while maintaining safety and security.