The $75 price includes sessions (1) and (2) at the Masterton District Council, one practical stargazing session at Star Safari, and a site visit.

Schedule: 

(1) Masterton District Council  3rd of April 2025 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm 

(2) Masterton District Council  17 April 2025 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

(3) Star Safari -  TBD.

(4) Site Visits - TBD

The Dark Sky Business Capability Course is being funded through the Regional Economic Development Plan. The Plan identifies opportunities with high-impact potential to grow our region over the next 10 years. WellingtonNZ manages the Plan and is partnering with Milky-Way Kiwi and Masterton District Council to give businesses the tools, connections, and support they need to grow astro-tourism in Wairarapa. To find out more about WellingtonNZ services, visit www.wellingtonnz.com/business/business-resources  

The course will have four components: two classroom sessions at the Masterton District Council, one practical session at Star Safari, and a site visit for each participant, which will include an assessment of premises and a commercial-in-confidence report.

Invited Speakers

Anna Nielson from Destination Wairarapa, Nicola Belsham from Business Wairarapa, Charlotte Harding from the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, Cimone Grayson from Carterton on tikanga and Māori values and we also have a video message recorded by Graeme Murray talking about Lake Tekapo and their efforts establishing the first dark sky reserve in the country. 

Instructors

Hari Mogoșanu and Sam Leske from Milky-Way.Kiwi

Session One 

(3 hours, classroom-based, Masterton District Council) - 3rd of April 2025 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm:

• An introduction to the dark sky reserve, boundaries, and requirements to maintain the reserve status.
• The Dark Sky opportunity – framed by Destination Wairarapa (including opportunities for product development)
• Case study of local providers successfully utilising the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve to grow their business.
• What can businesses do to tap into growing astrotourism in Wairarapa? (Review successful models in NZ/internationally)
• Managing weather risks and capitalising on astronomical events.

Session Two 

(3 hours, classroom-based, Masterton District Council) - 17 April 2025 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm:

• The basics of Telescopes/Binoculars and other types of equipment used for stargazing.
• Introduce the online ‘toolkit’ for beginners (hosted on the website)
• An introduction to the night sky and the history of the importance of the night sky in the region for Māori. (visiting speaker)
• Planetarium session to build familiarity with the night sky.
• Business Capability support available through WellingtonNZ.

Session Three – Practical Stargazing Skills 

(90mins at Star Safari in Ponatahi) - sometime in May, depending on the weather

• Health and Safety aspects of stargazing.
• Practical viewing and operation of telescopes and equipment.
• Discussion and demonstration of astrophotography.
• Identification and visibility of local constellations
• Discussion on lighting, physical site orientation and aspects of establishing a stargazing site.

Site Assessment Visit for Participants - during June

• Milky-Way.Kiwi Ltd will visit each course participant’s site and conduct a survey of lighting, sky visibility and dark sky suitability for stargazing and astrophotography. An hour has been allocated at each site to achieve this.
• After the site visit, each participant will receive a report with technical recommendations particular to their circumstances.