We’re very excited to share the news that Martinborough TOP 10 Holiday Park will be the first Dark Sky Friendly Business in the proposed new South Wairarapa International Dark Sky Reserve.
This will be the second International Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand (and the Southern Hemisphere), after Tekapo, and one of only 11 in the world. The Dark Sky initiative aims to protect and enhance the beautiful dark skies and natural wildlife habitats around the world by controlling light pollution.
Under the dark sky-friendly plan, businesses agree to manage the levels of light pollution generated, and therefore removing another source of light glow and preserving the clear, dark night sky the region uniquely enjoys, now and in the future.
“The whole team at Martinborough TOP 10 Holiday Park are delighted to be the first
Martinborough Dark Sky friendly business,” Park Co-Owner Lisa Cornelissen said. “We have always kept our lighting low as I remember the amazement I felt when Frank (Lisa’s Husband and the second Park Co-Owner) and I moved back from the UK and I saw the Milky Way for the first time. That's an experience we try to share with our guests.”
Signing the Martinborough Dark Sky Society’s charter means Frank, Lisa and their team are required to ensure outdoor lighting and fittings comply with international regulations that prevent night sky glow and even lower it by using lower-temperature lights, fitting only down lights or fitting timers so lights are on only when needed.
Their commitment to changing their lighting regime to fit within the dark sky friendly rules gives visitors to the region the opportunity to marvel at the magnificent night sky of the Southern Hemisphere and feel connected to the truly awesome history of the universe.
Congratulations to Lisa, Frank and the team at Martinborough TOP 10 for their fantastic efforts toward making South Wairarapa an International Dark Sky Reserve.
Book a stay at Martinborough TOP 10 Holiday Park to experience the wonders of the night’s sky.
