Location: New Zealand | DarkSky International

Snow capped mountains in New Zealand with Milky Way above.

Tāhuna Glenorchy becomes New Zealand’s fifth International Dark Sky Sanctuary

News

The Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary was certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by DarkSky International

February 3, 2025

Photo of the Milky Way above a building named Glenorchy.

Tāhuna Glenorchy

Sanctuaries

New Zealand

The Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary is located at the Head of Lake Whakatipu in the Queenstown Lakes District …

February 3, 2025

Kaikōura

Sanctuaries

New Zealand

The Kaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary is situated in a remote region of the South Island, Aotearoa New Zealand. Offering …

September 11, 2024

Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust achieves International Dark Sky Sanctuary status for Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park and surrounding Department of Conservation lands

News

DarkSky International officially designated Kaikōura, New Zealand as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

September 11, 2024

The historic church cellar door under the Milky Way.

Kawarau Gibbston Dark Sky Park

Parks

New Zealand

The Kawarau Gibbston Dark Sky Park comprises 25 square kilometers, including the Gibbston Character Zone and the Gibbston Valley …

May 8, 2024

The Aurora Australis, Milky Way core and zodiacal light as seen from Kawarau Gibbston Dark Sky Park.

Kawarau Gibbston becomes the seventh International Dark Sky Place in Aotearoa/New Zealand

News

Queenstown-Lakes District of Otago, New Zealand DarkSky International certified Kawarau Gibbston as an International Dark Sky Park (IDSP).

May 8, 2024

Matarkiki rising over the Oxford Foothills

Oxford Forest Conservation Area, New Zealand

Parks

New Zealand

The Oxford Forest Conservation Area is located in Oxford, North Canterbury, in the South Island of New Zealand. Its …

January 30, 2024

Forested trail in Oxford, New Zealand

Oxford Forest Conservation Area named New Zealand’s second International Dark Sky Park

News

Oxford, New Zealand Oxford Forest Conservation Area, covering 11,350 hectares, has been certified as the newest International Dark Sky …

January 30, 2024

Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve

Reserves

New Zealand

The Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve is situated in the Wairarapa Valley of the North Island of New Zealand. The …

January 18, 2023

Wai-Iti

Parks

New Zealand

Wai-iti covers 135 hectares of Tasman District Council land on the South Island of New Zealand, including the Wai-iti …

July 6, 2020

Stewart Island / Rakiura

Sanctuaries

New Zealand

Stewart Island-Rakiura lies at the extreme Southern tip of New Zealand and boasts a modest 390 residents. New Zealand’s …

January 3, 2019

Carol Comer

Aotea Great Barrier Island

Sanctuaries

New Zealand

Great Barrier Island (GBI) is an island lying some 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of central Auckland in the …

June 24, 2017