Wairarapa‘s stellar night sky

In January 2023, South Wairarapa and Carterton became an official International Dark Sky Reserve, joining a prestigious list of just 23 other locations worldwide. The status is achieved when an area possesses an exceptional quality night sky. Measurements taken in South Wairarapa indicate that the sky is one of the darkest available on Earth, despite being the closest of all the reserves to a metropolitan area. Local Wairarapa businesses are welcoming this status and embracing the long night. 

Getting certified as a Dark Sky Reserve is an involved process. “First of all, you have to do a stocktake of your lights,” says Haritina Mogosanu (Hari). She is the co-founder of Star Safari, an astrotourism business based out of Carterton. “You have to get the council on board. And the third thing you have to demonstrate is that you‘ve done a lot of community outreach.” 

Community group Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve Association led the effort to get certified. It involved a huge amount of hours and passionate people. Since achieving the milestone, business capability courses have been running throughout Wairarapa to educate those interested in incorporating astrotourism or any aspect of the reserve into their business. Hari and her partner, Sam Leske, have been the driving force behind these courses through their social enterprise Milky-Way Kiwi. In 2024, they ran a pilot with the help of WellingtonNZ through the Dark Skies Initiative in the Regional Economic Development Plan (REDP). 

Following its success, more rounds of the course have rolled out. Businesses are implementing the knowledge they‘ve gained in a variety of ways. Accommodation providers might buy a telescope and offer stargazing. Another might leverage their geography to attract astrophotographers. Local  iwi have also been in attendance, looking to the night sky for their own storytelling opportunities. “What‘s most interesting,” says Hari, “is that the majority of people who come to the course have never looked through a telescope.” 

Just outside the reserve‘s northern border sits Masterton. The town is rethinking its lighting so it can be included within the reserve. Matthew Steele works at Masterton District Council and is a member of the Wairarapa Dark Sky Steering Group. “A big thing for us is what it actually means and a bit of myth-busting,” says Matthew. “There‘s concern that dark skies mean a lack of lights and security. But it‘s actually about having the right lights in the right place for the right purpose.” Hari agrees, “It‘s the light spillage that‘s the problem. We pay a lot of money for light that isn‘t used for anything. It just goes up into the sky.” 

The latest round of the capability course has focused on Masterton businesses. The course not only aligns with REDP objectives, but also helps make the case for the expansion of the reserve to include Masterton. “It‘s [an initiative] where there‘s traction,” says Matthew. “We can build on what‘s already been done.... It‘s a good example of partnership really working. We‘ve got all the councils, Destination Wairarapa, Business Wairarapa and WellingtonNZ, all working together on this and all playing a part.” 

The benefits of the Dark Sky Reserve go far beyond economic development. The course also aims to educate people about the effects of light on people‘s health and the environment. Some of the speakers at the course included a sleep biologist, a passionate electrician, and local iwi. The night sky is bringing all these people together and creating opportunity.