Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve headlines 2023
Milky Way straddles the Wairarapa coast’s dark sky. Photo: Pete Monk.
Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve heads the world list of new dark sky places set out by the international body which gives the world-wide dark movement it’s formal status – itself renamed as DarkSky.
The former International Dark Sky Association (IDA) made the name and logo change to DarkSky during a year which saw 17 more places sign up to the world-wide dark sky movement.
The group has named Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve at the top of that list of 17 new communities, parks, sanctuaries and reserves – lifting the total world-wide to 210 by year end.
In its annual report, DarkSky notes what it calls “a successful year” for its advocacy as it “continues to make incredible strides to protect the night” – despite light pollution growing at “an alarming” 10 percent a year.
“We are confident these destructive trends of light pollution can and will change,” with “more places and people committed to preserving the natural night light as never before.”
The latest signs of change include:
* astrotourism continues to grow, with the industry worth half a billion dollars world-wide;
* dark sky-related terminology like “light pollution and “skyglow “ has nearly doubled in on-line mentions and searches over the past two years;
* success stories continue to pour in from communities and places committed to protecting their dark skies.
As DarkSky also notes in its annual report, Antarctica remains the one continent without a dark sky place or advocacy group – and it’s put out a challenge to Antarctic scientists to volunteer.
In New Zealand, there are at least 20 locations where volunteer groups have confirmed their interest in creating a dark sky place.
They are: Dunedin, Fiordland, Takaro (near Te Anau), Naseby, Moeraki, Geraldine, Kuaotunu Peninsula, Selwyn, Oxford Observatory, Rekohu (Chatham Islands), Kaikoura, Wainuiomata – Orongorongo, Raetahi, Whakatane – Eastern Bay of Plenty, Waitakere Ranges, Waiheke Island, Russell, Far North District. Masterton currently is working to join/expand the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve.
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