Moana Skies is pipped as the premier stargazing experience in NZ’s largest dark sky sanctuary: Kaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary. Photo / Jack Kingston - JWPK Photography
Moana Skies is pipped as the premier stargazing experience in NZ’s largest dark sky sanctuary: Kaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary. Photo / Jack Kingston - JWPK Photography
The skies of New Zealand will be busy in 2025. And since it’s home to three of the world’s 22 dark sky sanctuaries, it’s a prime place to appreciate the cosmic universe, writes Annie Sherman
From lunar and solar eclipses to meteor showers, Aurora Australis, and the pure beauty of our Milky Way galaxy, New Zealand’s starlit sky will rival the Northern Lights in 2025.
Your best bet to see these celestial events is to find a spot with the least artificial light, or tall buildings, trees, or mountains that can restrict views.
Whether you drive to the middle of nowhere or just turn off your house lights and stand outside, make an effort to experience these peak stargazing events.
You may need binoculars, warm clothing depending on season, and don’t forget to be patient, as it can take as long as 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Try these additional tips for stargazing and these community observatories that offer stargazing events.
View of the Milky Way from Great Barrier Island Dark Sky Sanctuary. Photo / Aucklandnz
What to look for in the skies this year
March 14 and September 7: Total lunar eclipse, when Earth moves between the sun and moon, casting a shadow on the moon. Wear appropriate eye protection.
March 29 and September 21: Partial solar eclipse, when the moon partially blocks the sun and our sky darkens. In Dunedin and Invercargill, the sun may be 72% obscured. Wear appropriate eye protection.
March through September: Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) are most visible during this time of year when nights are longer. Look to the South one hour after sunset until just before dawn, and you’ll see the sky shimmer in shades of pink, red, purple, blue, and green.
May 5-6: Eta Aquariid meteor shower occurs April 19-May 28, with peak activity in early May. Face east and look away from the radiant point to see its fast, bright meteors with bright trails.
July 29-30: Southern Delta Aquariids meteor shower is fast but faint and lasts until dawn. Face towards the Aquarius constellation and look halfway between the horizon and zenith, or the highest point in the celestial sphere vertically overhead.
Where to find a celestial event
NORTH ISLAND
Kawakawa Station, Cape Palliser
At the rugged Southern tip of the North Island, nestled in the 194km Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, sits one of the area’s oldest sheep stations that is operated as a private three-night catered walk through the bush. Trampers sleep in cosy huts and stargaze after sunset, undisturbed by light, noise, and Wi-Fi, but with Celestron stargazing binoculars to elevate the night sky experience.
Its remoteness is its blessing. At the 616m-high summit, you can see across the Cook Strait to the South Island, and at night the heavens open to a jewel box of stars. With zero light pollution, you can experience exceptional night skies, especially at the back of the station, where the skies are exceptionally dark in the core of the reserve.
Tongariro National Park, Manawatū-Whanganui
The remarkably contrasting volcanic landscape feels like a different universe, and is an unspoiled spot to see the heavens. At Tongariro Crossing, some hikers pass through the alpine terrain by moonlight because of its especially clear nightscape and elevation. But if that 19km hike isn’t for you, consider the moderate Ridge Walk, which is 1.5km and offers a stunning elevated nightscape view of Mt Tongariro, Mt Ruapehu, and Mt Ngauruhoe volcanoes. Access from Bruce Road carpark and Whakapapa Holiday Park.
Stonehenge Aotearoa, Wairarapa
Not a duplication of the famed English stone circle, this modern working structure was crafted specifically to align with the Southern Hemisphere’s celestial patterns, including Egyptian and Babylonian technology, Polynesian navigation, and Indus Valley astronomy.
Its serene natural environment in rural Wairarapa overlooking Ruamahunga Valley creates a darkness ideal for night sky viewing with limited trees or buildings to impede the view. Guides also specialise in Māori starlore and offer night sky tours, so if you walk out to experience a celestial event, you can also learn about myths of antiquity and rediscover astronomy’s legends.
There are multiple reasons this third Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world affords ample opportunity for stargazing. It’s located at the outer edge of the Hauraki Gulf, away from the North Island’s electrification; 60% of the island is conserved from development; its small population generates and uses very little electricity; and the island lacks streetlights and billboards. As a result, the Milky Way blazes a bright ribbon across the island’s wide-open beaches or a Magellanic Cloud galaxy seems to appear right in front of you while atop Hirakimatā. Take a Good Heavens tour and let experts guide your knowledge of the skies and its activity with an 8″ Dobsonian telescope and cosy moon chairs.
SOUTH ISLAND
Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, Mackenzie country
This is the largest reserve in the Southern Hemisphere, and the third largest in the world, thanks to few sources of light and noise pollution. Maintaining the pristine darkness and spacious landscapes for future generations, this national and international destination has become a centre for astro-tourism and public education. Experts here in a variety of locations throughout the nearly 4400sq km reserve offer paid tours for stargazing and learning about the cosmos. Here, you can explore the skies through the Lake Tekapo observatory’s telescope, nurture your creativity with an astrophotography lesson, spot the Southern Cross with an astro-laser, or float in a hot pool and stare at the star-studded sky.
The clarity of the night sky in Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve has made the area the world's second-best spot for stargazing. Photo / mtcook.co.nz
Charcoal skies studded with diamonds define this nearly 2100sq km region, which was a newly minted sanctuary in 2024. The exposed peninsula affords superb year-round views of the southern sky, including the Milky Way, Southern Cross, Magellanic Clouds, planets, and the globular cluster Omega Centauri.
Join Moana Skies for a journey across the solar system. Pipped as the premier stargazing experience in NZ’s largest dark sky sanctuary, Moana Skies’ astronomers take guests on a stargazing odyssey using cutting-edge equipment, laser pointers and telescopes. While vivid stories bring the starlit sky to life, the history of the cosmos is covered in a fun and easy-to-digest manner, complete with fascinating constellations and far-flung planets. Alternatively, take a trip to the moon as part of Moana Skies Lunar Tour, covering everything you’ve ever wanted to know about its beauty, mythology and astronaut landings.
Another option is to take your blanket and binoculars, and check out the nightscape from Point Kean carpark, Fyffe House on Avoca Street, Kaikōura Lookout, Pohowera, and South Bay Recreational Reserve and Lookout.
Moana Skies’ astronomers take guests on a stargazing odyssey using cutting-edge equipment, laser pointers and telescopes. Photo / Jack Kingston - JWPK Photography
Wai-Iti Dark Sky Park, Tasman District
This 135ha district, including the Wai-Iti Recreation Reserve and Tunnicliff Forest southwest of Wakefield, was the country’s first dark sky park in 2020. Now offering astronomy events and star parties to welcome curious stargazers, its organisers also advocate for reduced light pollution and participate in International Dark Sky Week in April. With no power or lighting fixtures here, the night sky will turn on in all its monochromatic glory, and you’ll witness everything from shooting stars to planetary movement. Park at the site’s carpark, then wander the fields or to the Wai-Iti River for the darkest skies and clearest viewing of the cosmos.
This crater observatory was built outdoors for stargazing and astronomy education. During a 60-minute tour, you can view planets, galaxies, star clusters, nebulae, the moon in close detail, and much more through seven telescopes, and try a virtual reality space walk. Expert astronomer guides or te reo Māori presenters personify legends of the sky and teach you how to use their astro-photography equipment to photograph deep sky objects. Their annual Matariki celebration to honour the first rising of the Pleiades star cluster in late June or early July is a must-do.
Adult $90, youths (under-18) $40, Marlborough school children free.
