Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve
Preserve, protect, enhance and promote the Wairarapa region’s pristine dark skies for future generations.
Light pollution is a threat to our environment, our health and a waste of money.
It disconnects us from our cultural heritage.
Our ancestors who navigated here by the stars would not believe that today people in heavily light polluted cities have never seen the Milky Way or the majority of stars. Furthermore, too much blue light at night can cause health and wellbeing issues both for humans and animals.
The solution to light pollution is simple
On the streets, we need lights that shine down and are environmentally friendly. At home, we must turn the lights off when we don’t use them.
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.
What is light pollution?
Light pollution is the inappropriate use of artificial light at night.
“Light pollution is an environmental pollutant that harms our planet and robs us of the opportunity to experience the wonder of a natural night sky.” (IDA, 2020)
Different types of light pollution.
Principal sponsor
Westpac generously co-funded the development of an economic study of the impact of dark sky accreditation on the Wairarapa economy. The study provided supporting material for the Wairarapa Councils to consider in the process for changing the District Plan to support dark sky friendly lighting. The District Plan change is a key requirement for achieving international accreditation for a Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve.
Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve 