This section of my website is part of an ongoing project to better understand, document, and protect dark skies in Taranaki and across NZ. I purchased a Sky Quality Meter (SQM) in early 2026 and began recording real, on-location night-sky measurements shortly after. The SQM readings listed here reflect measured data rather than satellite estimates and will continue to grow over time as additional locations and conditions are documented.

Where is the darkest location on Earth?

There is a common misconception that some locations in New Zealand — particularly the Aoraki–Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve — are the “darkest place on Earth”. This is a misunderstanding of what dark-sky designations represent. Dark Sky Reserve status reflects protection, management, and sky quality, not a global ranking.

Aoraki Mackenzie has exceptionally dark skies by global standards, but it is not guaranteed to be the darkest location in NZ, let alone the world. In New Zealand, some of the highest publicly reported SQM readings recorded to date have come from locations such as Great Barrier Island. As research continues, it is highly likely that NZ’s darkest readings will come from somewhere like remote Fiordland.

Internationally, high-altitude sites such as the Atacama Desert in Chile have recorded peak measurements that are likely slightly darker than anything measured in NZ to date under comparable conditions.


Why record SQM readings?

- Satellite light-pollution maps are imperfect in NZ, largely due to a lack of ground-based SQM measurements, particularly in rural and complex terrain.

- More public SQM data is needed. By recording readings here and uploading them to the Globe at Night database,
I aim to help improve long-term accuracy.

- To compare and identify darker locations. Repeated SQM measurements allow tentative ranking of the darkest skies in Taranaki and NZ, based on measured data.


Top 3 Predicted Darkest Locations in Taranaki (Tentative)

1. Eastern Taranaki – Whangamōmona hill country
Remote, sparsely populated terrain with strong shielding from coastal light domes.

2. Northern Taranaki – inland Mohakatino backcountry
Very low local lighting, particularly away from the coast, with increasing separation from urban centres.

3. Mt Taranaki – south-eastern slopes (Auroa Rd / National Park boundary)
Terrain shielding from New Plymouth, with elevation reducing atmospheric scattering.

Possible Wild Card

High-altitude Mt Taranaki (Syme Hut area)
Altitude may allow darker-than-expected SQM readings by reducing atmospheric scattering and sitting above low-level haze.

Actual SQM Readings

Note: All SQM values are the average of three readings, recorded on location at the stated date and time.
App est. is from satellite data on Light Pollution Map.

TARANAKI

Everett Park Reserve (Inglewood)
SQM 21.29 (≈ Bortle 4), (10:18 pm · 06/02/2026 · Clouds 0% · ~15 min before 85% moonrise · 17°C · Elev. 92 m · App est. ~ B 4).

New Plymouth — Backyard (Central NP)
SQM 19.24(≈ Bortle 5 - 6), (10:05 pm · 18/02/2026 · Clouds 25% · 16°C · Elev. 23m · App est. ~ B 5.5)
SQM 19.30(≈ Bortle 5 - 6), (9:30 pm · 14/03/2026 · Clouds 0% · 16°C · Elev. 23m · App est. ~ B 5.5)

Lower Timaru Road (Lower end, Tataraimaka)
SQM 21.40* (≈ Bortle 3), (11:21 pm · 11/03/2026 · Clouds 50% · 17°C · Elev. 12m · App est. ~ B 3.4).

Lower Timaru Road (Mid end, Tataraimaka)
SQM 21.25 (≈ Bortle 3), (11:05 pm · 14/03/2026 · Clouds 25% · 16°C · Elev. 62m · App est. ~ B 3.4).

Tataraimaka Hall (9 Timaru Road Upper)
SQM 21.28 (≈ Bortle 3), (11:19 pm · 14/03/2026 · Clouds 25% · 16°C · Elev. 0m · App est. ~ B 3.4).

Sealy Road, New Plymouth
SQM 20.80 (≈ Bortle 4), (12:30 am · 15/03/2026 · Clouds 0% · 16°C · Elev. 94m · App est. ~ B 4.5).

Stent Road, Warea
SQM 21.27 (≈ Bortle 3),(11:48 pm · 14/03/2026 · Clouds 50% · 16 °C · Elev. 50m · App est. ~ B 2.4)

Port Taranaki (sheltered)
SQM 19.73 (≈ Bortle 5), (10:40 pm · 14/03/2026 · Clouds 0% · 16°C · Elev. 12m · App est. ~ B 5.2)

Port Taranaki (not sheltered)
SQM 19.66 (≈ Bortle 5),(10:45 pm · 14/03/2026 · Clouds 0% · 16°C · Elev. 12m · App est. ~ B 5.2).

New Plymouth Observatory (Behind)
SQM 19.63 (≈ Bortle 5),(10:08 pm · 14 Mar 2026 · Clouds 0% · 16 °C · Elev. 45m · App est. ~ B 5.5)

New Plymouth Observatory (In front)
SQM 19.54 (≈ Bortle 5), (10:09 pm · 14 Mar 2026 · Clouds 0% · 16 °C · Elev. 45m · App est. ~ B 5.5)

Strathmore Saddle
SQM 21.45 (≈ Bortle 3), (9:31pm · 15/03/2026 · Clouds 0% · 14 °C · Elev. 246m · App est. ~ B 2.5)

*Darkest reading recorded so far: SQM 21.45 (Strathmore Saddle).