A group lobbying for the night sky above Tekapo to be declared a world heritage reserve says Prime Minister John Key's backing is crucial.
The Mount John Observatory at Tekapo is considered one of the most accessible in the world, and one of the best star-gazing sites because of the region's clear night skies.
A spokesperson for the project, former Cabinet minister Margaret Austin, says the Government has put $10,000 towards the project, and Mr Key has written to support it.
Ms Austin says it is important to have Mr Key's support for the project before a meeting in July when the World Heritage Committee will decide whether to include the sky in the list of world heritage sites.
She says the money will go towards an awareness campaign for the project.
