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Source: ONE News -
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Tekapo is one step closer to becoming the base for the worlds first heritage starlight reserve.
The New Zealand team behind the reserve plan has been in Tekapo putting the final touches on a bid to the United Nations for the heritage classification.
Mt John is considered one of the worlds most accessible observatories in the world with 70% cloud free nights and almost no light pollution which makes it the ideal candidate for heritage status.
It is already home to the country's biggest telescope and it was locals who first came up with the sky-park idea.
"It certainly puts this area Tekapo and Mt John on the international map like you would never believe, there's immense interest in the concept overseas", says Graeme Murray chariman of MacKenzie tourism and development.
Ten years on and the group behind it all was meeting to finalise the bid and at the head of the table, former cabinet minister Margaret Austin.
"What I'd like to come out of it at the end is a plan of action for the next six months in the lead up to the world heritage meeting at Brascilica", she says.
The United Nations controls the concept that the Fiordland world heritage area is an example of what they are more used to but because the "starlight reserve" would be a first they have had to argue the case with Unesco from scratch.
Austin says "if the world heritage committee accepts the thematic study, of which we're a significant case study, they will proceed to the next stage which will be to nominate us".
Light pollution is controlled by law in Tekapo, all outdoor lighting must direct downwards.
Latest Nasa pictures show why half the population of the planet can't even see stars at night and it makes them all the more determined to protect their dark sky.
