Oxford Forest Conservation Area named New Zealand’s 2nd International Dark Sky Park

February 6, 2024

Oxford Forest Conservation Area, New Zealand, DarkSky
Oxford Forest Conservation Area, covering 11,350 hectares, has been certified as the newest International Dark Sky Park in New Zealand by DarkSky International.

The recognition stems from the community’s dedication to promoting practical lighting policies, conducting outreach and education on the benefits of better lighting, and gaining local support to reduce light pollution.

The first conversations on creating a dark sky site date back more than five years ago; however, it wasn’t until early 2023 when residents put together a plan and started Oxford Dark Sky, the volunteer group made up of more than 20 local public and private organizations, who would go on to drive the initiative. 

“We believe the introduction of the Oxford Dark Sky Park will increase our connection with the community, enabling us to link with our area’s cultural and celestial heritage. It will provide many learning opportunities for our students through work around environmental impacts and energy resources, underpinning our work with the Observatory.”

Mike Hart, Oxford Area School Principal and Oxford Dark Sky member

Local support and momentum have continued to grow across schools and the township. Thomas Robson, Oxford-Ohoka Community Board Chairperson, and Oxford Dark Sky member adds, “Locals have long appreciated the area’s night sky, and it will be good to share this natural unspoiled beauty with night sky enthusiasts. We look forward to supporting this initiative in any way we can going forward.” Collaboration with neighboring Christchurch City, Selwyn, and Hurunui is already under discussion.

“This effort is an excellent example of how collaboration, education, and outreach can raise awareness and inspire change at the community level. Economic development, marketing strategies, and district lighting plans are now being developed with an eye towards dark sky conservation for the benefit of the community and future generations. Such outcomes are a goal of the Dark Sky Places certification program,” 

Amber Harrison, Dark Sky Places Program Manager

Sky brightness measurements in the Oxford Forest Conservation Area average 21.46 magnitudes per square arc second, surpassing the required threshold, with some readings as high as 21.80 magnitudes per square arc second.

“The Oxford sky is truly pristine — we get some of the best naked-eye views of the Milky Way and from just about anywhere in Oxford,” says Oxford Dark Sky President Raul Elias-Drago. Specialized sensors measure light emanating from a very small patch of night sky overhead, equivalent to about the size of a blueberry at a distance of 4 kilometers. Unshielded external lights, moonlight, cloud cover, fog, month, and time of night greatly affect sky darkness. The Park is open to the public 365 days/year and 24 hours/day.

The Oxford Forest sky and its proximity to Christchurch make the dark site unique.

“Oxford offers one of the darkest and most accessible dark sky experiences in New Zealand. Here, you can enjoy an amazingly dark sky and peer straight into the Galactic Centre – all of this at less than 1 hour from downtown Christchurch, the Canterbury ski fields, or our international airport,” adds Mr. Elias-Drago. Given the choice in accommodation, restaurants, shopping, astronomy and outdoor activities, the Group expects Oxford to feature on many weekend and travel itineraries: “come to Oxford and just look up!”

Raul Elias-Drago, Oxford Dark Sky President

More information about the Oxford Forest Dark Sky available here

Related Article

Pack your bags! The DarkSky Approved Lodging Program is now live.

On January 9th, 2024, DarkSky International officially launched the highly anticipated DarkSky Approved Lodging Program.

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • The Difference Between Accent, Ambient & Task Lighting: Ultimate Guide

    The Difference Between Accent, Ambient & Task Lighting: Ultimate Guide

    In interior design, lighting is not just about brightening the room. Sensitive lighting layout is the key in the whole aesthetic atmosphere. An outstanding lighting solution will not rely on one type of fixture. Rather, it is through the combination of different types of lighting. Accent, ambient, and task lighting are three basic types of… Read More…

  • Graphic Office Interiors Enhance Their Office Space, Incorporating State-Of-The-Art Lighting Solutions

    Graphic Office Interiors Enhance Their Office Space, Incorporating State-Of-The-Art Lighting Solutions

    Graphic Office Interiors, a renowned office design and furnishings company serving Vancouver Island since 1966, embarked on a unique lighting project for their personal office in Saanichton, BC. This project marked the first collaboration between Kelly Inglis of Mac’s II Agencies and Graphic Office Interiors’ in-house registered interior designer, Laura Harlos. Known for their exclusive Steelcase furniture line, modular moveable… Read More…


New Products

  • Eureka Announces New Accessories for Scout Luminaire

    Eureka Announces New Accessories for Scout Luminaire

    Eureka has announced the enhancement of its Scout luminaire family with the introduction of new accessories and a new color palette. Three new diffusers have been introduced. Bell is minimalist, translucent and cloche-shaped. Pebble introduces a soft touch and an ambient glow in a distinct, oval-shaped diffuser. Orb is sleek and dome-shaped, adding a touch… Read More…

  • Amico: SOLAR ECLIPSE – 2X4 Multi-Functional Luminaire

    Amico: SOLAR ECLIPSE – 2X4 Multi-Functional Luminaire

    The Solar Eclipse Series provides a multi-functional luminaire that supports the demands of the hospital environment. The sleek and modern design merges architectural aesthetics with exceptional lighting performance to improve patient comfort while maximizing clinical efficiencies. This architectural patient room fixture offers reading, ambient, and exam functionalities and an optional night light. Multi-functional capabilities provide… Read More…