Wairarapa International Dark Sky Reserve
South Wairarapa and Carterton districts’ night skies were officially certified as an International Dark Sky Reserve in January 2023 under the collective name ‘Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve’ (WDSR), covering 3,665 square kilometres.
The Wairarapa is now one of 25 International Dark Sky Reserves globally, with more information here. There is one other Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand, in the Aoraki-Mackenzie region.
Dark Sky DIY toolkit – how to lower your lighting use and power bill
The Wairarapa Dark Sky Association and the Council encourage residents to do DIY home checks using the Home Outdoor Lighting Assessment here to check on lighting with ease, without cost and with positive flow on effects.
Why reduce light pollution?
The positive benefits of lowering our light pollution can reduce power bills, promote better sleep and ensure there is less light spill that can impact neighbours, pets and plants.
Light pollution can disrupt wildlife, affect human wellbeing, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change and obscures our view of the night sky. “The Dark Sky DIY toolkit is a free opportunity to lower your power bill, encourage better sleep, protect the night environment and support healthier conditions for plants, animals and people,” says WDSR Project Coordinator Charlotte Harding.
Council’s role in reducing light pollution
South Wairarapa District Council approved a change to the Wairarapa Combined District Plan in 2021 to minimise light pollution in the night sky.
This included changes to lighting rules around sports grounds and the rollout of downward tilting, warm-coloured street lights that reduce the spread of light. The aim is to increase the percentage of our district’s outdoor lighting that is compliant with International Dark Sky requirements.
If you are able to replace your outdoor lighting now (or soon) please do. This step will help to decrease light pollution and give our district a head start on the 10 year and 80% goal.
When was the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve formed?
Work to gain certification in the Wairarapa began in 2016 when a group of volunteers formed the Wairarapa Dark Sky Association. Their aim was to protect the region’s night skies from light pollution. It is hoped that this Dark Sky Reserve will bring significant economic benefits from astro-tourism and also wellbeing to the community, which will benefit from lower light pollution.
Find out more about Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve and our FAQs
Learn more about lighting in our district and region in the Wairarapa Dark Sky Lighting Brochure and read our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Photo credit: Mark Gee.