When you think of the dark sky movement, you probably imagine astronomers, photographers, and stargazers. But everyone can look after our night sky, and in fact, it all starts with you. Do you turn your lights off when you don’t use them? Pull the curtains at night so light does not spill outside your house? Do you use a timer for your outdoor lights? Or even better, do you have lower temperature bulbs for nighttime?
The first two questions are easy: anyone can turn their lights off when they don’t use them or pull their curtains. But you can ask Jack Newman, our local electrician, things like How can I make that light better for the night sky and my power bill? And what’s a temperature reading for a light bulb?
Jack‘s community involvement
Jack has been actively supporting the dark skies even before Wairarapa became a dark sky reserve in 2022, when we ran the pop-up Wairarapa Space Science. Out of all the electricians we rang at the time, he was the one who came to rescue when we urgently needed to turn the power on at the Video Easy Building. Because we were very pressed for time, he went over the weekend and ensured everything was up to code and ready for launch. We were very grateful for all his support, so his name is listed under the amazing supporters for our space projects.
Since we became an international dark sky reserve, Jack has been a passionate advocate for dark skies. The Wairarapa International Dark Sky Reserve is one of only a handful worldwide. But this dark sky movement is new, and there is still a lot of confusion about what we need to do. For example, people might think that if you live in a dark sky reserve, you must turn your lights off. This is far from the truth. Protecting the night sky isn’t about eliminating light; it’s about using it wisely. That means warm-toned bulbs and fixtures that aim downward and avoid unnecessary glare. And saving money at the same time.
So don’t let the confusion get to you if you live in the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, because for us, help is already here.
We asked Jack for his opinion and advice on practical solutions to help homes, farms, and businesses reduce light pollution while improving safety and energy efficiency. His work makes it easier for our region to be a world-class destination for stargazing and to do it sustainably.
Sharing His Knowledge at the Dark Sky Business Capability Course
Jack is one of our invited speakers at the Dark Sky Business Capability Course, sharing his expertise on smart lighting and the very important role electricians play in supporting the reserve. His session was practical, hands-on, and full of immediately useful advice.
He reminded attendees that astro-tourism isn’t just about telescopes; it’s also about creating the right environment from the ground up.
Lighting That Works With the Night
Jack offers tailored lighting upgrades designed to meet aesthetic and safety needs, while protecting the stars above. Whether you’re retrofitting your B&B’s outdoor lights or replacing bright floodlights on your driveway, Jack can help.
He’ll assess your setup, recommend dark-sky-friendly alternatives, and do the work—all with that signature Wairarapa practicality.
A Partner in the Dark Sky Movement
Working closely with local astro-tourism advocates (like us at Wairarapa.space!), Jack is helping future-proof the Wairarapa as a stargazing haven. His work shows how small changes in lighting design can have a huge impact on wildlife, community wellbeing, and our collective access to the night sky.
Get in Touch
To learn more about Jack’s work and request a consultation, visit:
www.newmanelectrical.co.nz/darkskyreserve
Call: 027 4450 135
Email: [email protected]
Let’s Keep Wairarapa Dark
Smart lighting begins with smart people—and Jack Newman is one of the best. Support your local night sky and your local sparky, and let’s look after our night sky together.
