New Zealand147 places
Southern Lights in New Zealand: Where and When to See Them
In New Zealand the aurora needs an active night. It shows up first near Stewart Island/Rakiura (Oban), from about Kp 4. Near Stewart Island/Rakiura (Oban), July has historically been the best month (6% of nights).
Can you see the southern lights in New Zealand tonight?
Not tonight: activity is too low for New Zealand. The forecast peaks at Kp 2.7, but you need about Kp 4 near Stewart Island/Rakiura (Oban). A storm can build within a day, so check again tomorrow.
You also need a clear sky and real darkness: each town's page shows its cloud forecast and best hour tonight.
Where the aurora is visible tonight 3-day Kp forecast
Kp forecast: NOAA SWPC, checked every 10 minutes.
Featured destinations
Kp 4.7 Dunedin
Otago Region
Kp 4.3 Invercargill
Southland Region
Kp 5.3 Queenstown
Otago Region
Kp 5.7 Lake Tekapo
Canterbury Region
Kp 7.3 Aoraki/Mount Cook Village
West Coast Region
Kp 4 Stewart Island/Rakiura (Oban)
Southland Region
Kp 4.3 The Catlins (Owaka)
Otago Region
Where the aurora is easiest to see
| Place | Region | Kp needed | Kp for photos | Magnetic latitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stewart Island/Rakiura (Oban) | Southland Region | 4 | 2.3 | 54.5° |
| Invercargill | Southland Region | 4.3 | 2.7 | 53.9° |
| Gore | Southland Region | 4.3 | 2.7 | 53.5° |
| The Catlins (Owaka) | Otago Region | 4.3 | 2.7 | 53.7° |
| Dunedin | Otago Region | 4.7 | 3 | 53.0° |
| Mosgiel | Otago Region | 4.7 | 3 | 53.0° |
| Oamaru | Otago Region | 5 | 3.3 | 52.1° |
| Wānaka | Otago Region | 5.3 | 3.7 | 52.0° |
Largest cities
| Place | Population | Kp needed |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 1,547,200 | 9+ |
| Christchurch | 419,200 | 6 |
| Wellington | 381,900 | 7.3 |
| Manukau City | 362,000 | 9+ |
| Hamilton | 192,100 | 9+ |
| Tauranga | 161,000 | 9+ |
| Dunedin | 132,800 | 4.7 |
| Lower Hutt | 114,200 | 7.7 |
Live sightings
Where visitors are reporting the aurora right now. A place climbs with every report and drops again as the reports age.
- …
Latest reports
Live webcams in New Zealand
Check the sky for yourself with these public cameras. They open on the camera owner's website.
These cameras belong to their owners — we only link to them. Most show little in daylight or under cloud, and some pause in summer.
Regions of New Zealand
- Auckland RegionKp for photos 7.3 · 7
- Wellington RegionKp 7.3+ · 6
- Canterbury RegionKp 5.3+ · 8
- Waikato RegionKp 9+ · 2
- Bay of Plenty RegionKp for photos 7.3 · 3
- Otago RegionKp 4.3+ · 6
- Hawke's Bay RegionKp 8.7+ · 2
- Manawatū-Whanganui RegionKp 8+ · 2
- Taranaki RegionKp 8.3+ · 1
- Southland RegionKp 4+ · 3
- Nelson RegionKp 7.3+ · 1
- Northland RegionKp for photos 7.3 · 1
- Gisborne DistrictKp for photos 7.3 · 1
- Marlborough DistrictKp 7.3+ · 1
- Tasman DistrictKp 7.3+ · 1
- West Coast RegionKp 6+ · 2
Practical information for New Zealand
- Emergency number
- 111 (free, works from mobiles without credit); 105 for non-emergency Police
- Access to land
- Freedom camping is allowed on DOC public conservation land unless a site is prohibited or restricted; scenic/recreation reserves are closed to it unless DOC provides a campsite, some sites are self-contained-vehicle only (from 7 June 2026 a green warrant card must be displayed), and breaches can be fined.
- Winter driving
- NZTA advises anyone crossing alpine passes or travelling in the south and inland South Island in winter to carry chains and know how to fit them; from winter 2026 Queenstown Lakes District Council can fine drivers $750 for not fitting chains on council roads when 'chains required' signs are shown. Check NZTA Journey Planner for closures and 'chains essential' notices. Road conditions
- Drones
- CAA Part 101: max 120 m AGL, unshielded flights within 4 km of an aerodrome need aerodrome operator approval (and a qualification), controlled airspace needs ATC clearance, and night flying is only allowed shielded or with night-training qualification; see https://www.aviation.govt.nz/drones/
- Weather service
- MetService (Meteorological Service of New Zealand)
- Certified dark-sky places
- Stewart Island / Rakiura · Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve · Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary · Naseby Dark Sky Community · Kaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary · Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve
New Zealand has 10 DarkSky-certified places (as of 2025), also including Kawarau Gibbston Dark Sky Park, Aotea/Great Barrier Island, Wai-iti and Oxford Forest.
Compiled from official government, road-authority and weather-service sources. Rules change; check them before you travel.
Questions and answers
Can you see the southern lights in New Zealand?
In New Zealand the aurora needs an active night. It shows up first near Stewart Island/Rakiura (Oban), from about Kp 4.
What Kp do you need to see the aurora in New Zealand?
Near Stewart Island/Rakiura (Oban) about Kp 4 is enough. In Auckland, the largest city, you need about Kp 9+.
What is the best month to see the aurora in New Zealand?
Near Stewart Island/Rakiura (Oban), July has historically been the best month (6% of nights were clear, dark and active enough), followed by March (5%).
When was the aurora last visible in New Zealand?
The most recent night in our data with enough activity for Stewart Island/Rakiura (Oban) during darkness was 10 October 2026 (Kp 7.3). That has happened on 829 nights since 1995.