Have you ever heard of Matariki – a star cluster that appears in the early morning sky of New Zealand during mid-winter? It is known to bring the old lunar year to a close, marking the beginning of the New Year. Well, if you haven’t had the chance to gaze at this amazing cluster of stars yet, take a look at these eight stargazing locations in New Zealand where you can catch a glimpse of this breathtaking phenomenon. By Tanvi Jain
Stargazing Locations In New Zealand
1. Aotea (Great Barrier Island), Hauraki Gulf
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Aotea is New Zealand’s sixth-largest island and completely off the grid, with no reticulated electricity supply. Made up of steep forested hills, wetlands and sandy bays, all its residents are responsible for supplying their own power through solar, wind or gas. There are no billboards or streetlights, and the complete lack of light pollution makes for a very sparkly stratosphere. As a result, Aotea is the first island in the world and one of the only few destinations that has been granted Dark Sky Sanctuary status by the International Dark-Sky Association. You can reach the island either by ferry or a short 30-minute flight from Auckland.
2. Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, Canterbury
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In 2012, a 4,367 square-kilometre block of land in the middle of the South Island was designated as the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, formalising restrictions on light pollution that had been in place since the 1980s. This was the first reserve to be awarded gold status, meaning nearly non-existent light pollution. The sheer brightness of the stars, contrasted by the ring of mountains surrounding the Mackenzie Basin, is utterly breathtaking. The outdoor lighting controls have not only helped make the area one of the clearest, darkest and most spectacular places in New Zealand to view the night but have also helped conserve energy and protect local wildlife. Some constellations such as the Southern Cross, the Magellanic Clouds and the Milky Way, can be seen only from here.
3. Rakiura (Stewart Island), Southland
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Named the world’s fifth Dark Sky Sanctuary in January 2019, it is one of the best places in the world to spot the Aurora Australis, the southern hemisphere equivalent of the famed Northern Lights. Stewart Island’s population of no more than 400 people, is responsible for its lack of light pollution. Moreover, its far-south vantage point gives you a peek into some celestial features that are not visible from any other spot in the entire country. The viewing platform — Observation Rock — is just a 30-minute walk from the town centre of Oban.
4. Tongariro Night Crossing, Central North Island
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The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is considered one of the best day hikes in the world, for its scenic confluence of volcanic features, dramatic mountains and brightly-coloured lakes. However, at night, the place has a better surprise of the looming silhouettes of the grand old trio of mountains — Ngauruhoe, Ruapehu and Tongariro.
5. Ātea a Rangi, Waitangi Regional Park, Hawke’s Bay
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Located in Waitangi Regional Park, the celestial star compass known as Ātea a Rangi is used for teaching traditional Māori navigation methods and tell stories of those who navigated the oceans to arrive and settle in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
6. Martinborough, Wairarapa
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Martinborough has one of the darkest and most pristine skies in the country. The town has already achieved an IDA ‘3K City‘ classification, which means it has shielded LED outdoor lighting with a colour temperature of 3,000 Kelvins or less – reducing sky glow and light pollution. Castlepoint is the closest spot for stargazing, where you can watch the Milky Way rise above the famed lighthouse.
7. Otago Peninsula, Dunedin
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The Aurora Borealis — a must-see for many night skywatchers around the world — doesn’t make the lesser-known Aurora Australis or Southern Lights any less spectacular. From Dunedin, the Otago peninsula coastline provides a clear and breathtaking view of the night sky, along with a magical backdrop of coastal bird calls, echoing across Hoopers inlet. In the right conditions, the Southern Lights appear just over the southern horizon creating remarkable reflections in the water.
8. Tawharanui, Auckland
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Just over an hour’s drive from Auckland, lies Tawharanui Peninsula, which is not only home to one of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches, but is also blessed with one of the country’s most epic night skies as well.
If you have been at any of these stargazing locations in New Zealand, share your pics with us on social media!
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