Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

UN backs bid to preserve Lake Tekapo night sky

Updated at 9:47 pm on 7 April 2009

A world-first attempt to preserve the night sky above Lake Tekapo has gained momentum after a United Nations meeting lent support to the bid.

The proposal is one of only eight bids for night heritage sites worldwide and, if successful, would see the night sky above Lake Tekapo, in the central South Island, protected from light pollution.

Chairperson of the Starlight Reserve Committee Margaret Austin says almost half of the world's population cannot see the stars because of night light pollution.

Ms Austin says the Tekapo bid and another from La Palma in Spain have both been approved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) following a meeting in the Canary Islands.

Backing from the New Zealand Government is vital to the proposal, she says.

A final decision will be made next year on which of eight sites will get world heritage status.

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