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@moanaskies

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All Things Astronomy & Stargazing in New Zealand’s Largest Dark Sky Sanctuary✨
📍- Kaikōura, New Zealand
Join us for a tour to explore the cosmos 🔭🌟

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After a year of chasing clear evenings, the 2027 Kaikōura Dark Sky Calendar is complete.

Partnered with local businesses to celebrate the landscapes, people and places that make the district one of the world’s most remarkable night sky destinations.

All profits go to @kaikouradarksky to protect and promote New Zealand’s largest International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

To get yours, visit the link in my bio.

#newzealand
#kaikoura
#astrophotography

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The wait is almost over.

With State Highway 1 South reopening from midday Wednesday 15th July,, our coastal community is ready to welcome you back. 🛻

Whether you're planning a day trip, a weekend escape, or simply stopping in to enjoy our incredible wildlife, fresh seafood and stunning scenery, we'd love to see you. 💙

Come and support our local businesses, reconnect with nature, and experience everything that makes Kaikōura so special.

See you soon 🙌

#kaikoura #nzmustdo #aptroute #topofthesouthnz

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Yes… this is all shot on a GoPro. 🌌✨

I honestly can’t believe what the new #GoProMission1 Pro can capture at night. These 8K lapse shots in @kaikouranz are insane!

I shot these timelapses with the crew at @moanaskies while learning all about the night sky. Fun fact did you know Kaikōura is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary?!

Use my code BAREKIWI-10 for 10% off at GoPro.com

#Kaikoura #GoPro #Astro #NewZealand

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The new #GoProMission1 Pro is a @GoPro like you’ve never seen before. 🎥✨

Use my code BAREKIWI-10 for 10% off at GoPro.com

8K open gate.
4K 240fps.
True HD 960fps.
50MP RAW stills.
And a lapse mode that smoothly transitions from stars into sunrise like nothing I’ve seen before.

After months of testing it throughout New Zealand, Austria & Vanuatu, this camera has completely changed what I thought an action camera could be.

Welcome to the family, Mission 1 Pro.

#GoPro #NewZealand #Vanuatu #Austria

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📍Kaikoura, New Zealand

Thanks to @moanaskies for such an amazing stargazing tour 🌌🔭
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#space #kaikoura #astrophotography #milkyway

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A couple of evening scenes from @kaikouranz , taking advantage of the incredible conditions thanks to Kaikoura's status as an international dark sky sanctuary.

I captured these after joining @moanaskies for one of their tours, something I've wanted to do for a while, and thoroughly enjoyed. Once the tour wrapped up and the moon dipped below the horizon, the sky lit up with incredibly strong green airglow, as the Milky Way rose above the ocean.

The foreground in the first image has quite a backstory... nearly 10 years ago, this was all underwater. The 2016 earthquake heaved the seabed upward, creating this shelf with fascinating structures in the rock. It has now been inhabited by seals, and while I captured this image I was surrounded by dozens of seal pups, splashing in this pool and creeping up on me. Quite a unique experience!

Impressive to think both these locations were only a few minutes drive from the town centre. We are lucky to have dark skies preserved here, thanks to the @kaikouradarksky trust.

Shot on @sonyalpha.anz A7IV / @moveshootmove Nomad / @benro_australia tripod

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There’s something new waiting for you at Lynton Downs…

We’ve partnered with Moana Skies to bring a truly special experience directly to our guests — private stargazing, right here on the property.

As the sun sets and the last light fades over the Kaikōura ranges, your evening doesn’t have to end there…
Step outside and into one of the clearest night skies in New Zealand.
No travel, no crowds — just the stillness of the countryside and a sky full of stars above you.

Guided by Moana Skies, you’ll explore the universe through powerful telescopes, uncover distant planets, star clusters, and galaxies, and hear the stories that bring the night sky to life.

This experience is designed to be as relaxed and personal as your stay with us — whether you’re unwinding as a couple, sharing it with family, or simply taking a quiet moment to look up. ❤️

✨ Private, on-site experience for Lynton Downs guests
✨ Hosted under some of Kaikōura’s darkest skies
✨ A seamless addition to your stay

We’ve always believed Lynton
Downs is a place to slow down, switch off, and reconnect — and now, that includes the sky above.

If you’d like to include stargazing during your stay, just let us know when booking or speak to us during your visit.

Your night doesn’t end at sunset… it begins. 🔭🌌

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There are nights here where you step outside… and just stop.

No noise. No rush. Just the ocean somewhere in the dark, the hills behind you, and a sky that feels impossibly full. The kind of sky you don’t just look at — you feel it. ❤️

Out here at Mangamaunu Retreat, you’re far enough away that the stars take over completely. The Milky Way stretches right across the sky, satellites drift quietly overhead, and on the right night, you’ll see more than you ever thought possible.

And then… you take it one step further.... We’ve been working with Moana Skies to turn those moments into something unforgettable. Instead of just looking up, you’re guided through it — stories, science, the details you’d never pick up on your own. Planets come into focus, distant galaxies suddenly feel real, and everything above you starts to make sense.

And the best part? They’ll come to you. Private stargazing experiences right here at the retreat — no driving, no crowds, just your own space under one of the best night skies in New Zealand. 🌌

It’s slow. It’s quiet. It’s something you’ll remember long after you leave.

If you’re staying with us, ask about adding a Moana Skies experience to your night. Trust us… this is how Kaikōura is meant to be seen. ✨

@moanaskies
Moana Skies
@jwpkingston

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Take to the skies or discover hidden gems in lush valleys; these must-do activities are in some of the most spectacular places around the mighty South Island 🏞️

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What an amazing morning taking part in the inaugural Kaikōura Quest organised by the team at Moana Skies.

10 teams, on an adventure race around town, finding clues that lead them back to the Moana Skies Astronomy Centre for one last task 'the dig' where 5 minerals were discovered... followed by an easter egg hunt. All of this made for some much fun and families with some great memories created.

Already looking for Kaikōura Quest 2027 🙌

#kaikoura #easterfun #moanaskies #adventurerace

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Work, home, and Mabel.

@fujifilmxseriesnz GFX100S II
GF 32–64mm f4

#fujifilm
#gfxsystem
#nzphotography

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Kaikōura’s Night Sky in All Its Glory

This stunning image, captured by photographer and trust supporter, Jack (JWPK Photography) and was kindly shared with us by Moana Skies showcases exactly what we’re working to protect here in Kaikōura.

The Milky Way still shines brightly above our region, but that clarity isn’t guaranteed. Around the world, light pollution is rapidly dimming skies like these, which is why the Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust exists.

Every day, our team is focused on:
• Promoting responsible outdoor lighting across Kaikōura
• Supporting our district’s Dark Sky Sanctuary status
• Developing community education and outreach programmes
• Working with local operators and schools to inspire future astronomers
• Advocating to ensure our night sky remains a protected natural asset

This photo is a reminder of what’s at stake a rare, unspoiled view of our galaxy that many people will never experience in their lifetime.

With the community's support, we're ensuring Kaikōura coninutes to be a place where the night still belongs to the stars. 🌌 ✨️

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