Aurora shines over Selwyn

An evening with the fly rod in the Selwyn district. Photo: Matt Saunders
An evening with the fly rod in the Selwyn district. Photo: Matt Saunders
Papatowai in Otago last night. Photo: Nicole Peake
Papatowai in Otago last night. Photo: Nicole Peake
Photo: Nicole Peake
Photo: Nicole Peake
Photo: Supplied
Photo: Supplied
Photo: Supplied
Photo: Supplied

The skies over the South Island were painted in the colours of the Aurora Australis in a dazzling display on Tuesday night.

The spectacular phenomenon was seen across Canterbury, Otago and Southland.

Matt Saunders photographed the aurora while out fly-fishing in the Selwyn district.

"Seriously amazing evening in Selwyn out with the fly rod! Chasing monster fish under Aurora light in something out of a dream."

Nicole Peake captured the aurora between 9.30pm and 11pm at Papatowai and the Florence Hill Lookout in the Catlins.

"Although auroras are common in the Catlins Dark Sky, this one was truly fantastic due to the intensity of it," she said.

"We are very lucky not to have any city light distortion in the Catlins, which meant we got to enjoy the full spectrum of light and colours uninterrupted.

"It was truly a magical moment."