A dark sky over Glenorchy. PHOTO: CORRINE DAVIS
The Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary has been certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by United States-based non-profit DarkSky International.
Only the 23rd such sanctuary in the world, it is the second-largest of New Zealand's four sanctuaries.
It covers an area of 200,000ha, encompassing the townships of Glenorchy and Kinloch and stretching to the northern boundary of Mt Aspiring National Park.
Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Skies Group chairwoman Leslie Van Gelder said a small group of locals had worked on the project for five years.
"Glenorchy got in behind us and we've had huge support all the way through.
"It has truly taken a village, and it's all just beginning for us."
Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers said it was a fantastic achievement for a small community, which would protect the area's "remarkable night skies" for generations to come.
"Light pollution globally increases year on year.
"About 80% of the world's population can no longer see the Milky Way."
The tourism hotspot needed a slower, regenerative form of visitation, and the sanctuary would contribute to that.
The certification comes less than two months after Tāhuna Glenorchy was announced as the inaugural Winterstellar Astronomical Site.
The programme, launched by the Otago-based astro organisation last year, aims to recognise places in the region with exceptional dark skies.
Winterstellar chairman and Kawarau Gibbston Dark Sky Park founder Prof Brian Boyle said the new sanctuary's location was special.
"Only 10,000 people on the planet live under dark skies where the aurora and centre of our galaxy can readily be seen.
"This recognition of Tāhuna Glenorchy as a Dark Sky Sanctuary is thus not only of immeasurable importance to the protection of this resource, but to its promotion as a strategic benefit to residents and visitors alike."
