A Beginner’s Guide to Matariki Stargazing: Where To Look for Whetū in Aotearoa

Bringing the night’s sky to life is Dark Sky Project, whose mountaintop observatory on the summit of Mount John is an unrivalled stargazing experience. With minimal light pollution and its internationally recognised Dark Sky Reserve overhead, the region around Tekapō is the largest reserve of this type, and one of the best places to stargaze in the world. The Summit Experience is sure to ignite your passion for astronomy for light years to come and give all-important access to the observatory’s telescopes. We suggest preluding your stargazing with some delicious kai from Dark Sky Diner too.

Ever so reminiscent of Rebel Without a Cause, Stardome in Auckland is an observatory and planetarium that offers incredible views of the city’s night sky. For Matariki, Stardome is running a programme of events including an immersive light show and their ever-popular planetarium show Ngā Whetū o Matariki. If you want a kid-friendly place to introduce Matariki, why not try “the coolest little observatory this side of Neptune”.  

Gazing up at whetū on Great Barrier Island with a local guide from Good Heavens is a must. The island is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, and while you admire the star ladden skies, you’ll hear the lapping sounds of the waves. Sit back in your moon chair amongst the sand dunes at Medlands Beach and revel in this transportive experience complete with useful tips on how to orient yourself when staring up at the night’s sky. 

The 135 hectare park Wai-iti is a short jaunt from Nelson and has been popular with locals as a recreational reserve since the nineteenth century. In more recent times, Wai-iti has gained attention for its unadulterated views of the night sky, and with the help of the Dark Sky Association, it has become a recognised Dark Sky Park. Dark Skies Tasman run regular events including sidewalk astronomy and star parties that are fun, informative and share the importance of preserving the night sky for present and future generations.

International Dark Sky Sanctuary, tick. Sightings of Aurora australis, tick. Ridiculously good stars, tick. There’s a lot to love about stargazing on Stewart Island. If you’re going to delve into astronomy, you may as well dabble when you’re in one of the best places in the world to view the galaxies. Twinkle Dark Sky Tours - run by ​​Astronomer Al and stargazing partner, Jen - is the perfect way to behold the sights of our solar system and the wider universe all whilst they share their expert knowledge of space, stars and beyond. Who knows you may even see that strange blue spiral again!

Situated in the Wairarapa countryside, Stonehenge Aotearoa is a homage to the pre-historic stone monument found on the Salisbury plains in the UK. Impressive in scale, Stonehenge Aotearoa is also an open-sky observatory that specialises in archeoastronomy helping to unravel how our ancestors used the stars. Private stargazing tours are available with Under The Stars where you can learn more about stars and view clusters, planets, the Moon and galaxies using their portable telescope.