DarkSky International officially designated Kaikoura as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary today. The twenty-second location globally to earn this recognition, the third New Zealand sanctuary alongside Aotea Great Barrier Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura, and supporting New Zealand’s intention to become a dark sky nation. It’s an important achievement for the Kaikoura Dark Sky movement that began in 2000 to help protect the endangered Hutton’s shearwater. The recognition also underscores the continued commitment to preserving the natural darkness of the Kaikoura night sky.
Offering some of New Zealand’s most breathtaking natural landscapes, Kaikoura’s majestic mountains lie within two ranges rising straight from the Pacific Ocean. The Kaikoura Sanctuary covers 98% of the local district (approximately 2,039 km²), with over half of the area under protection from the Department of Conservation. Filled with stars, celestial wonders, and a stunningly clear Milky Way, it celebrates pristine dark skies that have a sky quality measuring on average 21.58 magnitude per square arcsecond (mag/arcsec²). Sanctuary status is only awarded to locations that possess an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and public enjoyment.
The Kaikoura Dark Sky Trust is a charitable trust dedicated to preserving natural environments and promoting sustainable practices. Through community engagement, education, and conservation efforts, they strive to protect our planet for future generations. For more information about the Kaikoura Dark Sky movement, please visit www.kaikouradarksky.nz