Kaikōura has officially joined an elite group of places worldwide as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, becoming the 22nd location to earn this title and the third in New Zealand, alongside Aotea Great Barrier Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura. This recognition supports New Zealand's ambition to become a dark sky nation while highlighting the area's dedication to preserving the natural beauty of its night skies.
This milestone is significant for the Kaikōura Dark Sky movement, which began in 2000 to protect the endangered Hutton’s shearwater, a seabird that uniquely breeds in subalpine environments. The sanctuary spans nearly the entire Kaikōura district, with more than half of the area under the Department of Conservation Protection.