Friday, 23 June 2017
Great Barrier awarded rare international dark sky sanctuary status
Great Barrier Island, located 100 kilometres north-east of central Auckland, has become the first island in the world to
be designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary in a bid to protect its night skies for present and future
generations.
The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) established the International Dark Sky Places conservation programme in
2001 to recognise ‘excellent stewardship of the night sky’. Designations are based on scientifically measured darkness
of sky as well as stringent outdoor lighting standards and innovative community outreach.
The application for the international sanctuary status was lodged by the Great Barrier Local Board with support from
Auckland Council, Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED), Department of Conservation, iwi, the Auckland Astronomical Society, and Auckland Central
MP, Nikki Kaye.
Mayor Phil Goff says Great Barrier Island is home to a community focused on protecting and preserving its stunning
natural beauty which makes it the ideal location to receive International Dark Sky Sanctuary status.
“Great Barrier Island is a place of rugged beauty and untouched wilderness, and is one of the most tranquil and unspoilt
places in the wider Auckland region,” he says.
“This status will help protect its dark sky and provide impetus for Aotea Great Barrier Island to advance a number of
complimentary initiatives, including showcasing alternative energy use as well as provide a new pathway for economic
development. This IDA status will help the island attract more visitors, including ecotourists, astro-photographers,
scientists and students.”
Great Barrier Local Board Chair, Izzy Fordham, says the Aotea/Great Barrier Island International Dark Sky Sanctuary is
just the third to be afforded the sanctuary status in the world.
“Sanctuary status is reserved for the most isolated, and dark locations in the word and this designation is specifically
designed to increase awareness of fragile sites and promote their long-term conservation,” she says.
“Ecotourism is extremely important to Great Barrier Island and the Aotea/Great Barrier Island International Dark Sky
Sanctuary status will not only provide further tourism development and economic growth opportunities but also ensure the
preservation of our exceptional starry skies.”
Local residents and dark sky enthusiasts, Gendie and Richard Somerville-Ryan, worked with Auckland astronomer, Nalayini
Davies, to gather the evidence required to support the application, undertaking the first set of measurements on the new
moon night in September 2016.
“Our measurements showed what we had all suspected – the Great Barrier Island skies are as good as it gets,”
Somerville-Ryan says.
“Achieving this status will protect the island’s night skies and bring the island to the notice of astro-photography
enthusiasts from around the world.”
As Auckland’s economic growth agency a key part of ATEED’s work is to help Auckland’s regions develop their tourism
offering.
“We’ve seen how successful astro-tourism has proved as part of Lake Tekapo’s Dark Sky Reserve status, attracting
significant numbers of international visitors to that region year round,” says ATEED General Manager Visitor and
External Relations Steve Armitage.
“We look forward to working with the local community on Great Barrier Island to promote this exciting status, ensuring
that the expected growth is managed sustainably so as not to impede on these special starry vistas.”