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Great Barrier Island, located 90 kilometres from Auckland, has become the first island in the world to be designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).

IDA established the International Dark Sky Places conservation programme in 2001 to recognise 'excellent stewardship of the night sky'. Designations are based on scientifically measured darkness of sky as well as stringent outdoor lighting standards and innovative community outreach.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says Great Barrier Island is home to a community focused on protecting and preserving its stunning natural beauty which makes it the ideal location to receive International Dark Sky Sanctuary status.

Mayor Goff explains "Great Barrier Island is a place of rugged beauty and untouched wilderness, and is one of the most tranquil and unspoilt places in the wider Auckland region.

"This IDA status will help the island attract more visitors, including ecotourists, astro-photographers, scientists and students."

Great Barrier Local Board Chair, Izzy Fordham, says the Aotea/Great Barrier Island International Dark Sky Sanctuary is just the third to be afforded the sanctuary status in the world.

Fordham added "sanctuary status is reserved for the most isolated, and dark locations in the word and this designation is specifically designed to increase awareness of fragile sites and promote their long-term conservation.

"Ecotourism is extremely important to Great Barrier Island and this International Dark Sky Sanctuary status will not only provide further tourism development and economic growth opportunities but also ensure the preservation of our exceptional starry skies."

Local residents and dark sky enthusiasts, Gendie and Richard Somerville-Ryan, worked with Auckland astronomer, Nalayini Davies, to gather the evidence required to support the application.

Somerville-Ryan commented "our measurements showed what we had all suspected -- the Great Barrier Island skies are as good as it gets.”

As Auckland's economic growth agency a key part of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development's (ATEED) work is to help Auckland's regions develop their tourism offering.

ATEED General Manager Visitor and External Relations Steve Armitage concluded “we've seen how successful astro-tourism has proved as part of Lake Tekapo's Dark Sky Reserve status, attracting significant numbers of international visitors to that region year round.

"We look forward to working with the local community on Great Barrier Island to promote this exciting status."

Image: Great Barrier Island’s stunning starry vistas have been designated an international Dark Sky Sanctuary. Courtesy of Mark Russell.

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