Kaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary is now officially recognised
On 11 September 2024, DarkSky International awarded this designation—making Kaikōura the 22nd location globally and the third in New Zealand, joining Aotea Great Barrier Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura.
It marks a milestone for the Kaikōura Dark Sky initiative, which began in 2020 to protect the endangered Hutton’s shearwater. Sanctuary status is reserved for locations that offer outstanding star-filled nights and a protected nocturnal environment valued for its scientific, natural, educational, and cultural significance.
