We are a community initiative to protect and enhance the beautiful dark skies and natural wildlife habitats we enjoy. Preserve, protect, enhance and promote the Wairarapa region’s pristine dark skies for future generations.
Photo: Ian Cooper SOUTH WAIRARAPA and CARTERTON DISTRICTS, New Zealand – The Districts of SouthWairarapa and Carterton of New Zealand’s North Island named Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, has become the newest International Dark Sky Reserve certified by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). After five years of hard work by a small group of volunteers, the…
Photo: Hari Mogoșanu Southern Wairarapa has been confirmed as the world’s newest Dark Sky Reserve by a decision of the International Dark Sky Association (IDA). Five years after deciding the pristine dark skies of the region should be preserved, protected and enhanced, Wairarapa Dark Sky Association has this week been granted formal Dark Sky Reserve…
After nearly four years of hard mahi, the WDSA committee expects to file its formal application for international Dark Sky Reserve status by month’s end! We are pleased to report our group was able to move forward quite quickly to preparing the formal application once the South Wairarapa and Carterton District Councils signed off the…
The story of the dark sky is more than one of star-gazing and astronomy. It has become one of human and animal/insect/plant well-being as light pollution intensifies and spreads itself through its terrestrial impacts. This BBC science item is the latest to underline the impact of light on the natural world.
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We are the Wairarapa Dark Sky Association |(WDSA).
We are a community initiative to protect and enhance the beautiful dark skies and natural wildlife habitats we enjoy.
Our mission is to preserve, protect, enhance and promote the Wairarapa region’s pristine dark skies for future generations.
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At meetings Wednesday the councils of South Wairarapa and Carterton District Councils formally adopted new lighting controls which are needed to comply with the rules of the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) for formal dark sky reserve status.
The Wairarapa Dark Sky Association, which grew out of the founding Martinborough Dark Sky Society group, plans to lodge a full International Dark Sky Association “dark sky reserve” accreditation bid by late 2020. When the reserve encompasses the Wairarapa region from South Coast to north of Masterton, it could become one of the world’s largest dark sky reserves.
Continue reading “What we do”
Our Principal Sponsor, Westpac,
generously co-funded the development of an economic study of the impact of dark sky accreditation on the Wairarapa economy.
“A number of Wairarapa organisations have generously sponsored our network of light meters across the Wairarapa District. Six meters are up and running, with more to come in the near future.
Continue reading “Light meters”
Wairarapa Dark Sky Association 