Fiordland National Park has been awarded International Dark Sky Park status by DarkSky International, making it the world's third-largest International Dark Sky Park and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
The park covers 12,607 square kilometres, making it New Zealand's largest national park. The accreditation follows several years of work led by Great South in partnership with the Department of Conservation (DOC), with support from mana land, the Fiordland community, tourism and conservation organisations, businesses and local dark sky advocates.
Southland now has two internationally recognised dark sky places, alongside the Stewart Island International Dark Sky Sanctuary. The recognition also adds to Fiordland's existing status as part of the UNESCO Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area.
DarkSky International Places Programme Manager Amber Harrison said the accreditation recognised Fiordland's significance as a large-scale conservation area.
"Fiordland's extraordinary scale and natural darkness are an integral part of what makes this landscape exceptional. Protecting its night skies is a natural extension of protecting the resources of the land. Equally as important is the appreciation of the night sky's cultural significance, reflected in Māori knowledge, navigation, seasonal cycles and Matariki.
"The commitment to conservation extends beyond the park, with efforts underway to incorporate dark sky protection into future district planning as the region grows. This certification represents a significant contribution to large-scale dark sky conservation in New Zealand," she said.
Great South Destination Development Manager Amie Young said the accreditation reflected years of collaboration and commitment from across the region.
"Fiordland's night skies are a special part of the place, and this accreditation recognises the years of monitoring, education, and collective effort that have helped protect them. It's a significant achievement for Fiordland and for Southland's wider dark sky story.
"It also creates opportunities to help visitors connect with Fiordland in new ways, while encouraging a better understanding of why natural darkness matters and how we can all help protect it."
The nomination letter was provided by DarkSky International President Nalayini Brito-Davies, a New Zealander and the first non-American to become president of DarkSky International, after she experiencing the outstanding darkness of its night skies while walking the Milford Track. Brito-Davies has been spearheading an initiative to make New Zealand a "Dark Sky Nation."
In her nomination, Brito-Davies said Fiordland's accreditation was an important step toward that goal.
"The certification of Fiordland, which accounts for 4.7% of this country's land mass, is a huge step towards achieving the ultimate goal of Dark Sky Nationhood for New Zealand.
"Its scale, exceptional natural darkness and strong local commitment create a valuable opportunity to protect the night environment and help visitors from around the world understand the importance of dark skies."
DOC Te Anau Operations Manager John Lucas said protecting Fiordland's natural darkness was part of caring for the park's wildlife and ecosystems.
"Many native species rely on natural light cycles. This accreditation recognises the importance of managing artificial light carefully, allowing lighting where it is needed for safety and essential operations while limiting its impact on the night environment."
Work supporting the accreditation has included monitoring sky quality, assessing and improving public lighting, and community engagement and education. A Lighting Management Plan will guide the ongoing management of outdoor lighting in the park.
Known to Ngāi Tahu as Te Rua-o-te-Moko, Fiordland holds deep cultural significance for mana land. The night sky is connected to knowledge Māori, navigation, seasonal knowledge and Matariki. Future work will include continued monitoring, lighting management, education and interpretation, and exploring opportunities for visitor experiences and cultural storytelling.
Fiordland joins more than 270 places worldwide that have demonstrated community support for dark sky advocacy. Learn more about the International Dark Sky Places Programme.