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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 โ€“ 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 Worldโ€™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 Zealandโ€™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
Hi stargazers! ๐Ÿ˜Š Being more of an evening pers Hi stargazers! ๐Ÿ˜Š Being more of an evening person, and thus not one of the earliest risers, I haven't spotted Matariki yet this year. So basically, my Maori new year hasn't started yet... When I was chatting to our wonderful guide Selina, this morning, she told me she's been seeing Matariki every clear morning, since 16 June. Oops. Just goes to show that the early bird catches the star clusters! ๐Ÿ˜‚ What I did manage to catch this morning is Venus, in the NNE before sunrise. It's the bright 'star' in the pic. The smaller slightly reddish star right next to it is Aldabaran, (enlarge!) the eye of Taurus, the bull. Matariki/Pleiades/the seven sisters ride on the back of this bull. ๐Ÿฎ So if I happen to wake before the sun in the next few days, I'm going to have another look for Matariki, somewhere to the east of Venus and to the left edge of this pic, so that I too can start my new year. โœจ I'll let you know how I get on. Or even better still... Will you join me? ๐Ÿค— Before 640am NZT says Selina ๐Ÿ˜Š
Hardy midwinter fun on the beach. #midwinter #bea Hardy midwinter fun on the beach. #midwinter #beachfun @greatbarrierislandofficial #daytimeinthedarkskysanctuary #beachlife #beach #newzealand #aotea #aotearoa #nzmustdo #stargazing
Good Heavens aptly named moon chairs are perfect f Good Heavens aptly named moon chairs are perfect for observing the super dark heavens in the Dark Sky Sanctuary of Aotea Great Barrier Island. โ € โ € Just lean back and enjoy while listening to stories of the stars, snuggled up under one of our fluffy blankets, while the waves lap at the beach in the background and stars galore overhead.โ € โ € Indulge in the elements of this dark sky wilderness ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŒ๐ŸŒด๐Ÿฌ๐ŸŒ… โ € #darkskyexperiences #greatbarrierislandโ € โ € *โ € โ € *โ € โ € * โ € โ € @greatbarrierislandofficial #greatbarrierislandofficial #comfortable #stargazing #magicalexperience #nzmustdo @visitauckland #magical #experience #aotea #whetu #moonchairs #๐ŸŒด #๐ŸŒŸ #๐ŸŒŒ
Lovely welcome ๐Ÿฌ into Tryphena today ๐Ÿ’™ One Lovely welcome ๐Ÿฌ into Tryphena today ๐Ÿ’™ One of those beautiful surprises Great Barrier Island may have in store for you, too. ๐Ÿ˜Š ๐Ÿฌ #greatbarrierisland #greatbarrierislandofficial #dolphins #surfing #sealinknz #ferry #bowwave #welcome #home #surprise #๐Ÿ’™ #๐Ÿฌ #100%purenewzealand
We love stargazing in winter - when the nights are We love stargazing in winter - when the nights are crisp and the heavens are clear. In winter, it gets dark early and we are looking at the core of the Milky Way. โ € โ € The big planets Jupiter and Saturn are visible in the evening sky - an amazing sight through our telescope.โ € โ € Enjoy winter stargazing in New Zealand from under our comfortable blankets. On the colder nights we'll even give you a hot water bottle.โ € โ € Thank you for this beautiful photo, @Jamesrua #inthehoodandco @visitaucklandโ € *โ € โ € *โ € โ € *โ € โ € #darkskyexperiences #stargazing #stargazingnz #nzmustdo #nzbucketlist #travelnz
We're loving this crisp still air! It makes for pe We're loving this crisp still air! It makes for perfect stargazing conditions, too! We had the most amazing stargazing experience last night. It's close to the new moon, so super dark, and the stars, planets and Milky Way were just popping. ๐ŸŒŸ Alas, no camera on hand, so this day time image of Medlands beach will have to do ๐Ÿ˜‰ #backyourbackyard #stufftravelnz #greatbarrierislandofficial
We are happy to announce that Good Heavens are ope We are happy to announce that Good Heavens are open for stargazing!โ € โ € Check out this beautiful timelapse of one of our tours. โ € โ € Thank you! @jamesrua #inthehoodandco #visitaucklandโ € โ € Come and marvel at our #greatbarrierisland stars with us!โ € https://buff.ly/2UHiCInโ € โ € *โ € โ € *โ € โ € *โ € โ € #darkskyexperiences #greatbarrierislandofficial #goodheavensnz #stargazing #stargazingexperience #milkyway #experiencenz #nzmustdo #oceanside #bythesea #darkskysanctuary #bucketlist #bucketlistnz #astronomy #stargazingnz #timelapse #underthestars #comfortable #enlightening #magical #couples #romantic #proposal #nzgetaway #nzstars #backyourbackyard #stufftravelnz #greatbarrierislandofficial
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. #nzisfab
Orion the Hunter has so many stories to tell.โ € โ € In this image, the light of the laser if pointing past Orion, one of our favourite stargazing objects. โ € โ € 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.โ € โ € 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.โ € โ € 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.โ € โ € 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.โ € โ € For more info, join us on https://buff.ly/3dGc97Jโ € โ € #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.๐Ÿšต๐Ÿผโ€โ™‚๏ธ Many of the side roads and driveways, away from this beaten track, are still just 'metal' or aggregate surfaced. And a 4WD rental car ๐Ÿš™ can come in handy if you haven't got the time to go on foot.๐Ÿšถ๐Ÿพโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿšถ๐Ÿผโ€โ™‚๏ธ After a dry summer, the bush is back to its usual winter lushness. ๐Ÿ’š
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?โ € โ € 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! โ € โ € 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. โ € โ € 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.โ € โ € 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.โ € โ € 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.โ € โ € Learn about the stars, and the moon! with us. Come for a Moon Walk!โ € โ € PS Note that when the moon is bright, the Milky Way recedes into the background.โ € โ € โ € โ € *โ € โ € *โ € โ € *โ € โ € #Moonwalk #Darkskyexperiences #Goodheavensgbi #Greatbarrierisland #NewZealand #NZmustdo #stargazing #constellations #deepskyobjectsโ € #moon #planets #telescope #beach #beachwalk #beachlife #sustainablelife #lovelife #familyexperience #waves #whitesand #gentlewalk #experience #magic #wherethemagichappens #๐ŸŒ• #๐ŸŒ– #โญ๏ธ #๐ŸŒœ #๐ŸŒ” #nzisfab
Sometimes our clients wonder if they can bring a d Sometimes our clients wonder if they can bring a drink ๐Ÿบ on our stargazing experiences.๐Ÿท Our response is that we will serve a hot drink โ˜• 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.๐Ÿ‘ This way, we try to ensure everyone has a magical timeโœจ with us under the stars. ๐Ÿ˜Š #darkskyexperiences #greatbarrierisland don't you โค๏ธ 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. ๐ŸŒ‘โ € โ € No streetlights to cause light pollution, and as every household generates it's own electricity, which is stored in batteries, โšก๏ธ power is precious - and we are frugal with it. So no bright lights from houses, either.โ € โ € Solar PV panels are the most popular means to generate power and many houses have a backup generator for the rare rainy days. ๐Ÿ’งโ € โ € And so, the rechargeable laser pointers we use during our experience are usually charged by the sun, our own super star. โ˜€๏ธโ € โ € When visiting our beautiful island, check with your host how the power you are using in your accommodation has been generated. ๐Ÿ˜„โ € โ € 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 ๐Ÿ‘ โ € โ € *โ € โ € *โ € โ € *โ € #greatbarrierisland #goodheavensgbi #goodheavensnz #darkskyexperiences #newzealand #stargazing #stargazingtours #stargazingexperience #nzmustdo #darkskyexperience #learnaboutthestars #sun #solar #solarpower #pv #electricity #offgrid #offgridisland #offthegrid #sustainable #sustainability #solarcharged #laserpointer #islandlife #barrierlife #alternativepower #backyourbackyard #stufftravelnz #greatbarrierislandofficial
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. ๐ŸŒŸ An invigorating walk along a solitary beach is another sensory indulgence.๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ The amazing inland tracks with beautiful long views in the largest Department of Conservation park in the Auckland area is another wonderful treat! ๐ŸŒด How will you burst your bubble?
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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.