Understanding the glowing skies of Rakiura

With Rakiura now an official International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Great South is helping those with an interest in developing a night sky tourism product to learn more about the skies above.


Great South is coordinating a two-day Dark Sky Ambassador Training course on Stewart Island/ Rakiura which will be hosted by renown astronomer John Drummond and leading dark sky advocates Nalayini Davies and Gareth Davies.

The course will include an introduction to the night sky, an overview of key objects and how to identify them, practical training on telescope use as well as providing guidance on developing a dark sky tourism product.

Great South Destination Development Manager Amie Young said as the southernmost sanctuary in the world, the Stewart Island/ Rakiura International Dark Sky Sanctuary offers exciting opportunities for tourism product development on the island.

“Rakiura is literally translated in Maori to ‘land of the glowing skies’ so we are looking forward to having renowned astronomers and leading dark sky advocates share their knowledge and expertise on how Rakiura can continue to leverage opportunities associated with its sanctuary,”

The workshop will be held on the 28th and 29th of September and is open to anyone who is interested in developing a night sky tourism product or wanting to have a better understanding of the night skies above Rakiura.

Registrations for the course must be received by Monday 14 September 2020 and should be emailed to Amie Young. The information flyer for the course can be found here

Amie Young
Amie Young
Destination Development Manager
amie@greatsouth.nz

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