South Wairarapa–Carterton Dark Sky Reserve

The Districts of South Wairarapa and Carterton of New Zealand’s North Island named Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, the newest International Dark Sky Reserve Association (IDA).

After five years of hard work by a small group of volunteers, the South Wairarapa and Carterton Districts have been formally certified as an International Dark Sky Reserve to preserve the region’s pristine night skies for future generations.

With broad community support, the Wairarapa Dark Sky Association (WDSA) set out to ensure the region’s dark skies would not degrade, a problem that besets some 80 percent of people worldwide.

“We are thrilled to be granted kaitiaki (guardianship) status for our sparkling dark skies by the International body, the Wairarapa Dark Sky Association chair Viv Napier said. “We know there are from reducing the scatter of light at night, and we want to thank the communities of Martinborough, Featherston, Greytown, added.

IDA has granted the Dark Sky Reserve status to just 20 other places worldwide by the IDA. Aoraki-McKenzie in the South Reserve in New Zealand.

Support from community groups, including local iwi and astronomical societies in Wairarapa and Wellington, as well as the region’s four local councils – South Wairarapa, Carterton, Masterton, and Greater Wellington Regional Council – was integral to the success of this

The combined South Wairarapa and Carterton districts of the new Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve cover an area of 3,665 square kilometers. WDSA already has plans to expand the reserve area to include northern Wairarapa’s Masterton district, which will encompass some 5,895 square kilometers.

Source: International Dark Sky Association