The beauty of New Zealand's nights will blow you away, with its clear skies and minimised light pollution stargazing opportunities are abundant all across New Zealand, from the North to the South Island all year round.
The beauty of New Zealand's nights will blow you away, with its clear skies and minimized light pollution stargazing opportunities are abundant all across New Zealand, from the North to the South Island all year round.
Throughout the winter months, the stargazing experience amplifies and is at its most spectacular. It is during these winter months that the cluster of stars called Matariki appears in the New Zealand night sky. In English you may know this cluster as the seven sisters, containing hundreds of member stars and is one of the brightest clusters in the sky. But, here in Aotearoa New Zealand, Matariki plays a significant cultural role, known as the Māori New Year. Bringing the past to a close and marking the beginning of the new year which is celebrated during the winter solstice. It is a time for reflection, renewal, and connection with the land, sea, and sky.
One of the best ways to experience Matariki is through interactive stargazing, which allows you to connect with the night sky and learn about the stars and their significance to Māori culture. To enjoy the sound and the enchanting stories of the Māori myth of Matariki, I recommended listening to the podcast “0800 Matariki” whilst gazing upon our beautiful glow worms in the sky.
“0800 MATARIKI” - Hosted by Spark, “0800 Matariki” Tells you about the Māori stories of the cluster, through sound and immersive storytelling, representing a mother - Matariki - and her eight children Hiwa-i-te-rangi, Pōhutukawa, Ururangi, Tupuānuku, Tupuārangi, Waipuna-ā-rangi, Waitā and Waitī.
There are 17 Dark Sky Reserves in the world, and lucky for you New Zealand is home to five of them! If you have the chance we at Big Little Campers urge you to take the time to check out one of these mind-blowing stargazing destinations - there are very few clear places on Earth so take this time to observe our stars.
Here are some of the best places to Stargaze in New Zealand:
- Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve: Located on the South Island, this reserve is one of the darkest places in the world, making it a prime location. Mt. John Observatory can be found here, which offers stargazing tours and has a range of telescopes for visitor use.
- Tongariro National Park: Located on the North Island, this national park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers stargazing tours or the opportunity to explore it on your own.
- Lake Tekapo: Located in the South Island, is known for its stunning scenery and dark sky. Which is also home to the Mount John Observatory.
- Stonehenge Aotearoa Wairarapa: Located in the North Island, is an open-air observatory that showcases Maori star lore and Polynesian navigation and archeoastronomy.
- Great Barrier Island: An island located on the North Island off of Auckland, Which offers minimal light pollution and views of the Milky Way, Planets, and galaxies above with the help of high-powered telescopes. Good Heavens stargazing tour even offers a packaged deal ‘Dining with the Stars’ tour, so make a night of it.
Stargazing during Matariki is a unique and special experience that allows you to connect with the natural world and learn about Māori Culture. Whether you are a seasoned stargazer or someone such as myself who doesn’t know the first thing about our night sky, New Zealand is a great place to start. So grab a warm jacket, head outside, and let the magic of the night sky and podcast transport you to another world.
