Thousands of New Zealanders gazed upwards this morning, hoping for a sight of an eclipse of the sun.
The eclipse, caused by the moon passing directly between the Earth and the sun, reached its maximum point about 10.21am at North Cape, with about 91 percent of the sun obscured.
Further south, 87 percent of the sun was obscured about 10.27am in Auckland, while 76 percent was obscured about 10.34am for sky-gazers in Wellington.
In Christchurch, 68 percent of the sun was covered by the moon about 10.34am.
Jo Creagh, marketing manager at Stardome Observatory in Auckland, said "hundreds" gathered at the observatory, either viewing the eclipse in the courtyard through solar eclipse glasses, or through telescopes fitted with solar filters.
