The stars have aligned for the Wairarapa region, with the Southern Wairarapa and Carterton districts in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Te Ika-a-Māui (the North Island) recently granted Dark Sky Reserve status by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA). 

The reserve will cover an area of 3,665 square kilometres, with a core zone consisting of the 194 square kilometre Aorangi Forest Park, protected by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Enduring protection from significant light encroachment in the region is also provided by several natural landmarks including the Pacific Ocean to the east and south and the Remutaka and Tararua forest ranges to the west. 

Just an hour’s drive north of the capital, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve will be one of the world’s most accessible. As well as helping to ensure that the region’s pristine night skies are preserved and protected for future generations, this recognition is expected to bring a tourism boost to a region widely known for its abundance of wineries along the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. 

Several businesses in the area already offer astro tourism experiences including Under The Stars(opens in new window) who provide private stargazing tours at Stonehenge Aotearoa, a unique open air astronomical observatory, as well as private star parties complete with portable telescopes, binoculars and star charts. 

Along with being the newest Dark Sky Reserve in the world, the Wairarapa is only the second formally certified reserve in Aotearoa New Zealand – the other is Aoraki Mackenzie in Te Waipounamu (the South Island). 

For more stargazing experiences across the motu (country), check out this article(opens in new window).