The Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust has started visiting schools in the area in addition to monthly stargazing evenings as it completes its application for a dark sky reserve with the International Dark-Sky Association.
On Friday evening it was Kaikōura Primary School's turn, where 40 Year 5/6 students and their families braved the cold for a star-studded party.
“It's a great night,” said principal Hannah Simpson.
“We are fortunate to have these people come to our school and hopefully it will inspire the students.”
She said gaining Dark Sky status would be a big boost for the city.
“It's going to be so cool and all the tourism that comes with it will be great for the area.”
Mrs Simpson said the school would need to do some work on the school lighting as the bright lights made it difficult to see the stars.
But the students and their parents enjoyed viewing the moon's craters through the trust's 8-inch telescope and getting some images from the Unistellar eVscope 2, she said.
Trust trustee Brian Horsfall said volunteers visited the school during the week to prepare pupils for the star party.
“We like to go to the school a few days in advance to show them the equipment and talk about astronomy to get them excited.”
Space-themed games and activities were also offered, as well as two virtual reality headsets.
The children also learned about the Matariki star cluster and how it is viewed in different parts of the world.
Kaikōura District Council adopted a private plan amendment from the trust earlier this year, proposing new rules to strengthen lighting regulations.
The new rules apply to new construction and if lighting needs to be replaced.
But local residents do not have to replace their lamps immediately.
Chief executive Will Doughty said 37 submissions were received and all were in support, meaning no hearing will be necessary.
The plan change will be reviewed by commissioners and will likely go into effect later this year.
In the meantime, the trust is finalizing its application for dark sky community status for the city and dark sky sanctuary status for the wider district.
If successful, it will join the dark sky reserves on Aotea Great Barrier Island and Rakiura Stewart Island, and four other dark sky sites, including the Oxford dark sky park, which was announced in January.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
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