Photo: Supplied / Simon EvansAn increase in visitors hoping to catch the southern lights has resulted in a call for the Catlins to be made a dark sky reserve. It specifically wanted support with a lighting policy which would align with dark sky requirements. "The importance of having a dark sky reserve here is really to highlight the Catlins natural, unique beauty, and its night skies," Hanley said. If ultimately successful, the area would join six other communities in New Zealand with dark sky accreditation. Those included dark sky reserves Aoraki Mackenzie, Wai-Iti (Tasman district) and Wairarapa, and dark sky sanctuaries in Oxford, Great Barrier Island/Aotea and Stewart Island/Rakiura.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 18, 2024 06:26 UTC