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Media

Click on the below links to view and read more about Good Heavens in NZ and international media.

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For all media enquiries please contact Hilde on 09 4290876 or use our contact form.

YouTube videos:

https://youtu.be/xW-4cGYAjPc

Good Heavens Dark Sky Experience - Time-lapse

https://youtu.be/qKOjUYFSdE0

Good Heavens Dark Sky Experience

Media coverage:

Celestial Bake Off Telegraph image

The Telegraph

It's official – this is the world's greatest island for stargazing

Stargazing in New Zealand

SilverKris

This might just be the best place in the world for stargazing

Orion's head

The Manual

This New Zealand Island Could Be the World’s Best Place for Stargazing

Stuff

Great Barrier Island: Dark Sky delight so close to the SuperCity

New Zealand.com

Seven places to go stargazing in New Zealand

Stargazing in New Zealand - Good Heavens Dark Sky Experiences on Great Barrier Island - Pah Point

New Zealand.com

Top 18 reasons to visit New Zealand in 2018

Good Heavens Dark Sky Tours Great Barrier Island

The Guardian

The star quality of New Zealand’s Great Barrier Island

NZ Herald

Dark Sky Sanctuary status will put Great Barrier Island on international stage

Hilde Hoven Good Heavens

NZ Herald

He Tangata: Hilde Hoven whose work touches the sky

Stargazing tours on Medlands Beach

AucklandNZ.com

Top 10 reasons to visit Great Barrier Island

Conde Naste Traveller

New Zealand's Great Barrier Island Named International Dark Sky Sanctuary

New Zealand dark sky sanctuary stargazing

NZedge.com

Great Barrier Island Best Spot for Stargazing

NZbusiness.co.nz

Breaking Business Barriers

New Zealand.com

Good Heavens Dark Sky Experiences

Lonely Planet

Great Barrier Island activities

  • TripAdvisor

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darkskyexperiences
Calendars in the sky On the shortest day, the Sun Calendars in the sky On the shortest day, the Sun will set over the Broken islands, to the right, whereas at the summer solstice in December, she will set well to the left of Hauturu a Toi, Little Barrier Island, in the middle of the picture. In the evening sky, Orion has made way for the winter constellation Scorpius.
The beautiful hues of a penumbral lunar eclipse at The beautiful hues of a penumbral lunar eclipse at 635am NZT this morning. Also in the photo, top right, Jupiter and the smaller Saturn (if it didn't get cropped off)
Loving the reflections during a leisurely stroll a Loving the reflections during a leisurely stroll at Medlands beach today.
Orion the Hunter has so many stories to tell.⠀ ⠀ In this image, the light of the laser if pointing past Orion, one of our favourite stargazing objects. ⠀ ⠀ Orion, which contains the asterism 'The Pot', is home to white and red super giants, one an aspiring supernova and also has several nebula, places where stars are born. And our Good Heavens stargazing guides love to show and tell you about these objects.⠀ ⠀ Orion was also an illustrious hunter in Greek mythology, and some of the juiciest gossip has survived for over 2000 years. These stories have helped our ancestors and us to remember where to find different constellations in the sky.⠀ ⠀ In New Zealand, Orion is a summer constellation and many people will recognise 'The Pot' from camping trips. If you want to relive those camping days, but in a bit more comfort, and at the same time learn lots about the stars, we invite you to join one of our Good Heavens stargazing experiences.⠀ ⠀ Great Barrier Island's super dark Dark Sky Sanctuary sky is bound to add that special bit of magic, and our small groups ensure that there is time for questions and some banter, too.⠀ ⠀ For more info, join us on https://buff.ly/3dGc97J⠀ ⠀ #orion #constellaton #hunter #superstars #gossip #supergiant #giant #supernova #laser #guide #guidedstargazing #stargazing #newzealand #greatbarrierisland #newzealandmade #thepot #rehua #rigel #betelgeuse #beteljuice #supernova #darkskyexperiences #nzexperience #nzmustdo #justdoitnz #aotea #nz #familyexperience #nztrip #bestofnz
The main road on Great Barrier Island, from Tryphe The main road on Great Barrier Island, from Tryphena wharf to Port Fitzroy, stretches around 40kms, and has been tar sealed, for the last ten or so years. It's a very scenic and curvy route.🚵🏼‍♂️ Many of the side roads and driveways, away from this beaten track, are still just 'metal' or aggregate surfaced. And a 4WD rental car 🚙 can come in handy if you haven't got the time to go on foot.🚶🏾‍♀️🚶🏼‍♂️ After a dry summer, the bush is back to its usual winter lushness. 💚
Have you ever been for a walk on the beach in the Have you ever been for a walk on the beach in the moonlight?⠀ ⠀ It's an amazing experience. Just imagine the shimmering light reflected off the water and the white sand gently lightening up the scene, while the waves are rolling in! ⠀ ⠀ For approximately one week a month, the moon is bright enough to clearly see where you are going on the beach. And it's magical. ⠀ ⠀ If you would like to enjoy this experience, from the Summer of 2020/21 Good Heavens will offer Moon Walks on Great Barrier Island, New Zealand.⠀ ⠀ We will take you for a walk on the beach, close to our stargazing location. We use binoculars to take a good look, and we will tell you facts and stories about the moon.⠀ ⠀ When we get back to our starting point, you can rest in our moon chairs, and use our telescope to get a closer look at special stars, deep sky objects and planets, and listen to more fun astronomical facts.⠀ ⠀ Learn about the stars, and the moon! with us. Come for a Moon Walk!⠀ ⠀ PS Note that when the moon is bright, the Milky Way recedes into the background.⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ *⠀ ⠀ *⠀ ⠀ *⠀ ⠀ #Moonwalk #Darkskyexperiences #Goodheavensgbi #Greatbarrierisland #NewZealand #NZmustdo #stargazing #constellations #deepskyobjects⠀ #moon #stars #planets #telescope #beach #beachwalk #beachlife #sustainablelife #lovelife #familyexperience #waves #whitesand #gentlewalk #experience #magic #wherethemagichappens #🌕 #🌖 #⭐️ #🌜 #🌔
Sometimes our clients wonder if they can bring a d Sometimes our clients wonder if they can bring a drink 🍺 on our stargazing experiences.🍷 Our response is that we will serve a hot drink ☕ on all our tours, but if you want to BYO, a private experience is more suitable. Same goes when you want to bring an interpreter or a small child.🐑 This way, we try to ensure everyone has a magical time✨ with us under the stars. 😊 #darkskyexperiences #greatbarrierisland don't you ❤️ these two!? I know that I do! @maichitran76
On #greatbarrierisland, when it gets dark, it gets On #greatbarrierisland, when it gets dark, it gets really dark. 🌑⠀ ⠀ No streetlights to cause light pollution, and as every household generates it's own electricity, which is stored in batteries, ⚡️ power is precious - and we are frugal with it. So no bright lights from houses, either.⠀ ⠀ Solar PV panels are the most popular means to generate power and many houses have a backup generator for the rare rainy days. 💧⠀ ⠀ And so, the rechargeable laser pointers we use during our experience are usually charged by the sun, our own super star. ☀️⠀ ⠀ When visiting our beautiful island, check with your host how the power you are using in your accommodation has been generated. 😄⠀ ⠀ PS So when visiting Great Barrier Island, be aware that hair dryers or straighteners, rice cookers, and all other gears with heating elements are a big draw on these systems, and therefore best left at home. But make sure to bring a torch 👍 ⠀ ⠀ *⠀ ⠀ *⠀ ⠀ *⠀ #greatbarrierisland #goodheavensgbi #goodheavensnz #darkskyexperiences #newzealand #stargazing #stargazingtours #stargazingexperience #nzmustdo #darkskyexperience #learnaboutthestars #sun #solar #solarpower #pv #electricity #offgrid #offgridisland #offthegrid #sustainable #sustainability #solarcharged #laser #laserpointer #islandlife #barrierlife #power #alternativepower #rechargeable
Stargazing in a dark sky sanctuary is only one of Stargazing in a dark sky sanctuary is only one of many ways to feel close to nature on Aotea - Great Barrier Island. 🌟 An invigorating walk along a solitary beach is another sensory indulgence.🏃‍♀️ The amazing inland tracks with beautiful long views in the largest Department of Conservation park in the Auckland area is another wonderful treat! 🌴 How will you burst your bubble?
When you own your own small business, sometimes yo When you own your own small business, sometimes you do your own stunts, 🎬 and take your own photos.📷 Very rarely are family members involved. But when we needed material for our new Moon Walk Experience, (more about that in another post), Deb’s hubby and her fab pre-schooler were enlisted for the modelling. 👪⠀ ⠀ We had not really accounted for the amount of time required for this energetic little guy to stand still for the long exposure shots. So we tried bribes of chocolate at home. 🍫⠀ ⠀ Have a look for yourself to see how that worked. 😂 ⠀ Thank you big and small Mr K's for your modelling skills. 🌟🌟⠀ ⠀ Such a fun night. 🌝⠀ ⠀ And for those of you who have not ventured out for a walk on the beach in the moonlight - it’s just magical… ✨⠀ ⠀ *⠀ ⠀ *⠀ ⠀ *⠀ ⠀ #stunts #ownstunts #photography #hubby #son #preschooler #moonlight #moon #beachmoon #standingstill #longexposure #greatbarrierisland #darkskyexperience #darkskyexperiences #moonwalk #darkskysanctuary #newzealand #mustdonewzealand #familyexperience #bribes #chocolate #chocolatebribes #magicalmoon @greatbarrierislandofficial #visitauckland
In Selinas bubble - I’ve been taking this time t In Selinas bubble - I’ve been taking this time to focus on self development and self reflection. I took an online gardening masterclass course through Koanga Gardens to produce my own food regeneratively and sustainably and an online tonic herbalism course to learn about medicinal mushrooms and other natural remedies. I’ve just applied for a Rongoā Maori Tikanga course to learn the traditional Maori methods of foraging and preparing native medicine from our backyard. I've had time for yoga, exercise and spending quality time with my partner! :) And I stayed up late one night to get my first peek of Mars through the telescope... #🔭 * * * #bubbles #greatbarrierisland #aotea #darkskyexperiences
Good Heavens in bubble time... In Deb's bubble, th Good Heavens in bubble time... In Deb's bubble, there's been time to work and play together, as a family. We have done tasks as a team; digging the garden, building a climbing wall and a bivouac. We played, chuckled and sung together as we hiked up to a camping spot we made on our land. We have had family jam sessions and gazed at our moon and stars together. There have certainly been challenges, but we have appreciated this as precious time to come together to appreciate each other and the beauty that surrounds us.⠀ ⠀ Kia kaha from our bubble to yours!⠀ ⠀ #bubblelife #greatbarrierisland #bivouac #building #climbing #teamwork #climbingwall #chuckles #familytime #familyexperience #garden #play #makingmusic #stargazing #darkskyexperiences #challengingtime #precioustime #treasures #thebeautythatsurroundsus #treasuredisland #kiakaha⠀ #aotea #stars #camping
The ball in Hilde's bubble... I am contemplating t The ball in Hilde's bubble... I am contemplating the time my teenage son and my step grandaughter have had to bond in our lockdown bubble and the time I've been able to spend with them at this stage in their lives. Something that would not have happened without the Corona virus. It's been precious and priceless 😍 Any lockdown positives in your bubble?
Our moon, providing a sense of normalcy... waxing Our moon, providing a sense of normalcy... waxing in the sky, steadily growing and staying up later in the next week, as the sunrise line, or terminator, gradually moves over her surface, increasing the area lit up by our sun. 🌘🌗🌖🌕 Naked eye moongazers, any idea on what's up with this image? Image captured through an 8" telescope with a Samsung phone through a 15mm eye piece, free hand, by the steady hand of @rg.con 👍😘
Such a dreamy morning in the dark sky sanctuary. J Such a dreamy morning in the dark sky sanctuary. Just before the sunrise in the east, the dark band of the Earth's shadow shows in the sky in the west. ✨
Last night's commute. Puriri Bay, Tryphena. - - - Last night's commute. Puriri Bay, Tryphena. - - - #greatbarrierisland #commuterlife #commute #travel #sea #seaview #darkskyexperiences #darkskysanctuarygreatbarrierisland #darkskysanctuary #sunset #sunsets
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+6494290876

PO Box 76, Tryphena Great Barrier Island (Aotea), Auckland 0991 New Zealand
Great Barrier Island International Dark Sky Sanctuary

© 2020 Good Heavens. Image Credits: Carmen Bird, Mark Russell, Carol Comer & Hilde Hoven. Website: Little Biz Online.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Good Heavens are 'playing it safe' under Alert Level 2 here in New Zealand, Aotearoa.
This means that we are only offering private Dark Sky Experiences at the moment. Our group Experiences are on hold until we reach Alert level 1.
Please email for any questions, to discuss your stargazing plans or any other enquiries.
We look forward to taking you stargazing on Aotea, Great Barrier Island, soon!