Latest news with #DarkSkyProject
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
20th year for dark sky project
One of New Zealand's most "out of this world'' experiences recently celebrated 20 years since it brought astrotourism to the masses, putting Takapō (Lake Tekapo) on the map. A celebration was held last month, featuring the screening of a documentary exploring the Dark Sky Project's origins. It also detailed the efforts of the co-founders and supporters to establish the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve in 2012. The Dark Sky Project is a joint venture between Ngāi Tahu Tourism and co-founders, Graeme Murray and Hide Ozawa. Each year, more than 45,000 manuhiri (visitors) enjoy the stars up close through exclusive star gazing tours and other digital and outdoor experiences. Dark Sky Project general manager and Ngāi Tahu astronomer Victoria Campbell said astrotourism was a growing market, with research showing 70% of people thinking about visiting New Zealand were interested in stargazing. "I'm excited that 20 years on, we're still sharing their love of the night sky along with mātauranga [knowledge] Māori and our traditional Ngāi Tahu stories about whetū (stars). "Ngāi Tahu Tourism is very proud to be associated with the pioneers of astrotourism." Co-founders Mr Murray and Mr Ozawa remain closely involved with Dark Sky Project and are proud of their influence on stargazing as a tourism activity. "Our journey over the past two decades under the pristine dark skies of the Mackenzie has been truly special. "We've enjoyed the unique opportunity to blend science with tourism, giving rise to the term 'astrotourism'," Mr Murray said. It was Mr Ozawa who first told Mr Murray that New Zealanders did not value their stars enough. "Most New Zealanders are probably not aware of just how special our view of the night sky is. It is especially breathtaking in Takapō, thanks to the ideal latitude and clear skies with no light pollution," Mr Ozawa said. Its stargazing tours are now woven with tātai arorangi (Ngāi Tahu astronomy), as well as cultural stories about the night sky that had never been previously shared outside of the iwi. Through tourism, reconnection with te taiao (the environment) creates lasting memories for manuhiri. The Dark Sky Project is a way to revive some of that mātauranga, some of those traditions and stories about the night sky. Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua, Waihao Upoko Tewera King and Te Rūnanga o Moeraki Upoko David Higgins were among the rōpū (group) who generously shared their ancestral stories when Ngāi Tahu Tourism partnered with Mr Murray and Mr Ozawa. Te Manahuna (Mackenzie Basin) was traditionally a gateway for Ngāi Tahu ancestors to connect and trade as they travelled around Te Waipounamu (South Island). Mr King described it as the heartbeat of the takiwā (tribal boundary) for his hapū. "When you're up on Ōtehīwai [University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory] and the sky is perfect, it almost feels like you can reach out and touch the moon — it's a very spiritual place," Mr King said. "The Dark Sky Project has given us the opportunity to share our own kōrero [story] and promote indigenous science to hundreds of thousands of manuhiri, while also encouraging the next generation of Māori navigators, sailors and astronauts." The documentary is available to watch on Dark Sky Project's social media pages and YouTube. — APL
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Mānawatia A Matariki – NZ Post Stamps Look To The Stars Ahead Of The Māori New Year
Press Release – NZ Post Featuring an image of the Milky Way captured in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, the stamps were developed in partnership with Dark Sky Project General Manager and Ki Tahu astronomer Victoria Campbell. To acknowledge Matariki mā Puaka in 2025, the latest stamps from NZ Post are highlighting the importance of protecting Aotearoa New Zealand's dark skies. One of the world's most precious natural wonders, the spectacle of a clear night sky has fascinated humans for millennia. The position of stars helped to guide Polynesian navigators across the Pacific to Aotearoa New Zealand, and astronomy is one of the world's oldest natural sciences. 'We've been celebrating Matariki with stamps since 2008 and this year we're pleased to highlight six star constellations, including Matariki, the Southern Cross / Māhutonga, and Taurus / Te Kōkota, which can all be seen in our skies this winter,' NZ Post's Programme Manager Lynette Townsend says. Popular Takapō (Tekapo) based astro-tourism experience, Dark Sky Project features in this year's collection. Combining science, Māori cultural perspectives, and awe-inspiring celestial views, Dark Sky Project offers internationally sought-after stargazing and astronomy experiences. 'Dark Sky Project plays a part in making sure New Zealanders have access to astronomy, and to the universally appealing hobby of stargazing. We were delighted to learn that it is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. This stamp collection is one way to acknowledge the positive impact astrotourism has had at deepening our understanding of the stars,' she says. Featuring an image of the Milky Way captured in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, the stamps were developed in partnership with Dark Sky Project General Manager and Kāi Tahu astronomer Victoria Campbell. Campbell was a member of the Matariki Advisory Group charged with the task of providing recommendations to the Government on the establishment of the Matariki Public Holiday. She says the constellations and star clusters featured on the stamps will all be visible in our pre-dawn skies this winter, with the best views available from Dark Sky Reserves, such as the one at Takapō. 'We're very proud to share the beauty of our dark skies through this limited stamp collection. The stars we have highlighted are significant to us as descendants of navigators who applied their celestial knowledge to their every day lives. 'We hope collectors will use this opportunity to engage with the names and patterns of the stars in our skies and through that connection be more aware of the importance of good lighting practices, so future generations can enjoy the stars at home like we can in Takapō.' The stamps can be pre-ordered on the NZ Post Collectables website in advance of the issue date of 19 June 2025. They will also be available to purchase directly from Dark Sky Project in Takapō, and New Zealand's highest post box located in the Astro Café at the top of Mount John. Comprised of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin, Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve was the third Dark Sky Reserve to be recognised in the world, and Aotearoa New Zealand's first. It is also the largest dark sky reserve in the Southern Hemisphere. Thanks to the reserve, the dark skies of the Mackenzie region are mostly free of light pollution, which is created by the use of artificial light at night. Light pollution impairs our ability to see the universe through the naked eye Find out more about Dark Sky Project at Formerly known as Earth and Sky, Dark Sky Project is a joint venture between Ngāi Tahu Tourism and co-founders Graeme Murray and Hide Ozawa. Visit to see the stamp collection. More information about the stamps: To acknowledge Matariki, the Māori New Year, this stamp sheetlet highlights Aotearoa New Zealand's dark skies with a stunning image from Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. $2.90 Southern Cross/Māhutonga – The Southern Cross constellation, a national symbol of Aotearoa New Zealand, is visible year-round in the southern hemisphere sky. It has long been used for navigation, helping to locate the South Celestial Pole when used alongside other stars. Across the world, cultures have shared stories about the stars; in Aotearoa, some iwi (tribes) viewed the Southern Cross as the anchor of a great sky canoe. $2.90 Taurus/Te Kōkota – The naming and interpretation of stars vary across cultures. In Aotearoa, the Hyades open star cluster—part of the constellation Taurus—and the adjacent bright orange star Taumata-kuku (Aldebaran) are known collectively as Te Kōkota. $2.90 Orion's belt & sword/ Tautoru & Te Kakau – Orion was named by the ancient Greeks, who saw the seven bright stars as a giant. A line of three stars forms his belt, from which his sword hangs. In Aotearoa, Orion's Belt is known as Tautoru and, when including Te Kakau—another row of stars extending at an angle -is often referred to as a pot with a handle. $2.90 Aries/Pipiri – Pipiri marks the first month of the maramataka, a traditional Māori lunisolar calendar, and is associated with the stars Hamal and Sharatan in the constellation Aries. Aries is an ancient star group that has historically been depicted as a sheep or ram by many early cultures. Its modern name is derived from the Greek and Roman myth of the Golden Fleece. $4.00 Winter Triangle – This asterism—a recognizable pattern of stars—includes Betelgeuse, Procyon, and Sirius (Takurua), one of the brightest stars in the sky. Known as the Winter Triangle in the northern hemisphere, this group of stars is visible during summer in the southern hemisphere. Thanks to its bright stars, it's an excellent starting point for those new to stargazing. $4.70 Matariki – Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster also known as Pleiades, Subaru or the seven sisters. The Māori New Year is celebrated annually across Aotearoa New Zealand when, in mid-winter, the Matariki star cluster rises.
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Scoop
Mānawatia A Matariki - NZ Post Stamps Look To The Stars Ahead Of The Māori New Year
To acknowledge Matariki mā Puaka in 2025, the latest stamps from NZ Post are highlighting the importance of protecting Aotearoa New Zealand's dark skies. One of the world's most precious natural wonders, the spectacle of a clear night sky has fascinated humans for millennia. The position of stars helped to guide Polynesian navigators across the Pacific to Aotearoa New Zealand, and astronomy is one of the world's oldest natural sciences. 'We've been celebrating Matariki with stamps since 2008 and this year we're pleased to highlight six star constellations, including Matariki, the Southern Cross / Māhutonga, and Taurus / Te Kōkota, which can all be seen in our skies this winter,' NZ Post's Programme Manager Lynette Townsend says. Popular Takapō (Tekapo) based astro-tourism experience, Dark Sky Project features in this year's collection. Combining science, Māori cultural perspectives, and awe-inspiring celestial views, Dark Sky Project offers internationally sought-after stargazing and astronomy experiences. 'Dark Sky Project plays a part in making sure New Zealanders have access to astronomy, and to the universally appealing hobby of stargazing. We were delighted to learn that it is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. This stamp collection is one way to acknowledge the positive impact astrotourism has had at deepening our understanding of the stars,' she says. Featuring an image of the Milky Way captured in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, the stamps were developed in partnership with Dark Sky Project General Manager and Kāi Tahu astronomer Victoria Campbell. Campbell was a member of the Matariki Advisory Group charged with the task of providing recommendations to the Government on the establishment of the Matariki Public Holiday. She says the constellations and star clusters featured on the stamps will all be visible in our pre-dawn skies this winter, with the best views available from Dark Sky Reserves, such as the one at Takapō. 'We're very proud to share the beauty of our dark skies through this limited stamp collection. The stars we have highlighted are significant to us as descendants of navigators who applied their celestial knowledge to their every day lives. 'We hope collectors will use this opportunity to engage with the names and patterns of the stars in our skies and through that connection be more aware of the importance of good lighting practices, so future generations can enjoy the stars at home like we can in Takapō.' The stamps can be pre-ordered on the NZ Post Collectables website in advance of the issue date of 19 June 2025. They will also be available to purchase directly from Dark Sky Project in Takapō, and New Zealand's highest post box located in the Astro Café at the top of Mount John. Comprised of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin, Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve was the third Dark Sky Reserve to be recognised in the world, and Aotearoa New Zealand's first. It is also the largest dark sky reserve in the Southern Hemisphere. Thanks to the reserve, the dark skies of the Mackenzie region are mostly free of light pollution, which is created by the use of artificial light at night. Light pollution impairs our ability to see the universe through the naked eye Find out more about Dark Sky Project at Formerly known as Earth and Sky, Dark Sky Project is a joint venture between Ngāi Tahu Tourism and co-founders Graeme Murray and Hide Ozawa. Visit to see the stamp collection. More information about the stamps: To acknowledge Matariki, the Māori New Year, this stamp sheetlet highlights Aotearoa New Zealand's dark skies with a stunning image from Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. $2.90 Southern Cross/Māhutonga - The Southern Cross constellation, a national symbol of Aotearoa New Zealand, is visible year-round in the southern hemisphere sky. It has long been used for navigation, helping to locate the South Celestial Pole when used alongside other stars. Across the world, cultures have shared stories about the stars; in Aotearoa, some iwi (tribes) viewed the Southern Cross as the anchor of a great sky canoe. $2.90 Taurus/Te Kōkota - The naming and interpretation of stars vary across cultures. In Aotearoa, the Hyades open star cluster—part of the constellation Taurus—and the adjacent bright orange star Taumata-kuku (Aldebaran) are known collectively as Te Kōkota. $2.90 Orion's belt & sword/ Tautoru & Te Kakau - Orion was named by the ancient Greeks, who saw the seven bright stars as a giant. A line of three stars forms his belt, from which his sword hangs. In Aotearoa, Orion's Belt is known as Tautoru and, when including Te Kakau—another row of stars extending at an angle -is often referred to as a pot with a handle. $2.90 Aries/Pipiri - Pipiri marks the first month of the maramataka, a traditional Māori lunisolar calendar, and is associated with the stars Hamal and Sharatan in the constellation Aries. Aries is an ancient star group that has historically been depicted as a sheep or ram by many early cultures. Its modern name is derived from the Greek and Roman myth of the Golden Fleece. $4.00 Winter Triangle - This asterism—a recognizable pattern of stars—includes Betelgeuse, Procyon, and Sirius (Takurua), one of the brightest stars in the sky. Known as the Winter Triangle in the northern hemisphere, this group of stars is visible during summer in the southern hemisphere. Thanks to its bright stars, it's an excellent starting point for those new to stargazing. $4.70 Matariki - Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster also known as Pleiades, Subaru or the seven sisters. The Māori New Year is celebrated annually across Aotearoa New Zealand when, in mid-winter, the Matariki star cluster rises.
Scoop
08-06-2025
- Scoop
Mānawatia A Matariki - NZ Post Stamps Look To The Stars Ahead Of The Māori New Year
To acknowledge Matariki mā Puaka in 2025, the latest stamps from NZ Post are highlighting the importance of protecting Aotearoa New Zealand's dark skies. One of the world's most precious natural wonders, the spectacle of a clear night sky has fascinated humans for millennia. The position of stars helped to guide Polynesian navigators across the Pacific to Aotearoa New Zealand, and astronomy is one of the world's oldest natural sciences. 'We've been celebrating Matariki with stamps since 2008 and this year we're pleased to highlight six star constellations, including Matariki, the Southern Cross / Māhutonga, and Taurus / Te Kōkota, which can all be seen in our skies this winter,' NZ Post's Programme Manager Lynette Townsend says. Popular Takapō (Tekapo) based astro-tourism experience, Dark Sky Project features in this year's collection. Combining science, Māori cultural perspectives, and awe-inspiring celestial views, Dark Sky Project offers internationally sought-after stargazing and astronomy experiences. 'Dark Sky Project plays a part in making sure New Zealanders have access to astronomy, and to the universally appealing hobby of stargazing. We were delighted to learn that it is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. This stamp collection is one way to acknowledge the positive impact astrotourism has had at deepening our understanding of the stars,' she says. Featuring an image of the Milky Way captured in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, the stamps were developed in partnership with Dark Sky Project General Manager and Kāi Tahu astronomer Victoria Campbell. Campbell was a member of the Matariki Advisory Group charged with the task of providing recommendations to the Government on the establishment of the Matariki Public Holiday. She says the constellations and star clusters featured on the stamps will all be visible in our pre-dawn skies this winter, with the best views available from Dark Sky Reserves, such as the one at Takapō. 'We're very proud to share the beauty of our dark skies through this limited stamp collection. The stars we have highlighted are significant to us as descendants of navigators who applied their celestial knowledge to their every day lives. 'We hope collectors will use this opportunity to engage with the names and patterns of the stars in our skies and through that connection be more aware of the importance of good lighting practices, so future generations can enjoy the stars at home like we can in Takapō.' The stamps can be pre-ordered on the NZ Post Collectables website in advance of the issue date of 19 June 2025. They will also be available to purchase directly from Dark Sky Project in Takapō, and New Zealand's highest post box located in the Astro Café at the top of Mount John. Comprised of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin, Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve was the third Dark Sky Reserve to be recognised in the world, and Aotearoa New Zealand's first. It is also the largest dark sky reserve in the Southern Hemisphere. Thanks to the reserve, the dark skies of the Mackenzie region are mostly free of light pollution, which is created by the use of artificial light at night. Light pollution impairs our ability to see the universe through the naked eye Find out more about Dark Sky Project at Formerly known as Earth and Sky, Dark Sky Project is a joint venture between Ngāi Tahu Tourism and co-founders Graeme Murray and Hide Ozawa. Visit to see the stamp collection. More information about the stamps: To acknowledge Matariki, the Māori New Year, this stamp sheetlet highlights Aotearoa New Zealand's dark skies with a stunning image from Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. $2.90 Southern Cross/Māhutonga - The Southern Cross constellation, a national symbol of Aotearoa New Zealand, is visible year-round in the southern hemisphere sky. It has long been used for navigation, helping to locate the South Celestial Pole when used alongside other stars. Across the world, cultures have shared stories about the stars; in Aotearoa, some iwi (tribes) viewed the Southern Cross as the anchor of a great sky canoe. $2.90 Taurus/Te Kōkota - The naming and interpretation of stars vary across cultures. In Aotearoa, the Hyades open star cluster—part of the constellation Taurus—and the adjacent bright orange star Taumata-kuku (Aldebaran) are known collectively as Te Kōkota. $2.90 Orion's belt & sword/ Tautoru & Te Kakau - Orion was named by the ancient Greeks, who saw the seven bright stars as a giant. A line of three stars forms his belt, from which his sword hangs. In Aotearoa, Orion's Belt is known as Tautoru and, when including Te Kakau—another row of stars extending at an angle -is often referred to as a pot with a handle. $2.90 Aries/Pipiri - Pipiri marks the first month of the maramataka, a traditional Māori lunisolar calendar, and is associated with the stars Hamal and Sharatan in the constellation Aries. Aries is an ancient star group that has historically been depicted as a sheep or ram by many early cultures. Its modern name is derived from the Greek and Roman myth of the Golden Fleece. $4.00 Winter Triangle - This asterism—a recognizable pattern of stars—includes Betelgeuse, Procyon, and Sirius (Takurua), one of the brightest stars in the sky. Known as the Winter Triangle in the northern hemisphere, this group of stars is visible during summer in the southern hemisphere. Thanks to its bright stars, it's an excellent starting point for those new to stargazing. $4.70 Matariki - Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster also known as Pleiades, Subaru or the seven sisters. The Māori New Year is celebrated annually across Aotearoa New Zealand when, in mid-winter, the Matariki star cluster rises.
