Huge Dark Sky potential

New Zealand has the potential and the opportunity to become the world’s first “Dark Sky Nation,” the environment director of the International Dark Sky Association, Dr. John Barentine, told an audience in Wairarapa recently.

Bought to the region by the Martinborough Dark Sky Society, Dr. Barentine told the 150-strong audience that the country has a unique opportunity to become a dark sky nation as it has only six cities which pose serious light control issues. 

His satellite picture of night-time New Zealand highlighted Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin as major sources of light pollution.

New lighting technologies meant this night sky pollution could be mitigated, he told the “Dark Skies & the Science of Light” talks held in the Carterton Events Centre, together with an exhibition of Wairarapa night sky  astrophotography.

Dr Barentine, greeted with a powhiri at Martinborough’s Hau Ariki Marae,  visited the site at Lake Ferry where Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa plans to build a Maori star compass and observatory.

He also visited the Ruakokpatuna site where astrophotographer John Whitby is building up to four astronomy domes for night sky viewing _ in one of the darkest zones in the South Wairarapa.

Dr Barentine held talks with South Wairarapa District Council senior staff, emphasising the social and economic benefits of a dark sky reserve encompassing the area. 

He applauded the decision of the three local councils in opting for 3,000 Kelvin LED street lighting, and noted the night-time sleep benefits that softer lighting would assist.

He also provided key insights into the International Dark Sky Association’s approval process for dark sky reserves, including defining a core of the reserve with legal protection (likely the DOC-administered reserve at Aorangi), and a broader area around it for a reserve. 

Current boundaries for the planned reserve mean it would cover 1,550 square kilometers of South Wairarapa.

Another key is that IDA approval includes a peer review by other dark sky places. Bringing Dr. Barentine to New Zealand and building bridges with Tekapo, Great Barrier Island, Dunedin and other potential Dark Sky places in the country helps support the Martinborough initiative.

While there is still much work to do to make this a reality, the Society now knows where the goal-posts are placed and is pleased that other local organisations and businesses are becoming involved in the project.