Stonehenge Aoteroa

The Hub of Astronomy in Wairarapa

Explore

VISIT STONEHENGE AOTEAROA

Stonehenge Aoteroa is New Zealand's unique open air astronomical observatory, built following ancient knowledge of the stone circles and adapted to the conditions of New Zealand. We look forward to seeing you here during our regular opening hours and for special events.

You can visit the henge anytime we are open, without having to make any appointment. Check out our opening hours below. A map of the Stonehenge Aotearoa structure and a short audio-visual explaining how the stones work are included in the visit.

Open: for self-guided tours, Wweekends and public holidays. Private tours at any time by arrangement.
Or you can book directly through the booking system.


Opening Hours

Daytime: 10am to 4pm
Evening: by appointment
February - May: Wednesday to Sunday
June - August: Weekends & Public Holidays
September to December: Wednesday to Sunday
January: every day to the 30th

We are closed December 21st, 24th, 25th, 26th, then open every day from December 27th.

Phone 06 377 1600.


Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve
Wairarapa receives Dark Sky Reserve Status


"Thanks to half a decade of advocacy by a small group of local volunteers, seeking answers in the stars will be preserved in Wairarapa for generations to come, now that the International Dark-Sky Association [IDA] has finally granted the region Dark Sky Reserve status." - (Times Age)

UNESCO's Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative
As featured on UNESCO's Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative website

RASNZ
RASNZ newsletter with the official report on the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve

Wairarapa Becomes Official Dark Sky Reserve

Why It’s Time for a Worldwide Lights-Out Program

Video courtesy of Phil Stebbing

Learn about the cycles of nature, movements of celestial bodies and archeoastronomy: how our ancestors have understood the phenomena in the sky, how they used these phenomena and what role the sky played in their cultures.

Listen to, or watch, the Arrow FM broadcasts on our Arrow FM Night Sky page
Arrow FM

Book a daytime guided tour

You will learn about the henge and its link with the past, with ancient civilisations and Māori starlore, Polynesian navigation and archeoastronomy.
BOOK A PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR

Things To Do At Stonehenge

ANY TIME DURING OPEN HOURS - TAKE A SELF GUIDED TOUR

You are able to visit the henge at any time by arrangement. See our opening hours below. You can book a private tour with Richard Hall any time, daytime or sunset. Must be arranged in advance.


STARGAZING AT STONEHENGE

TALES OF MATARIKI

The sacred time is the early morning rising of Matariki (the Pleiades) but the same stars are visible in the evening sky in November. It is warm, the sky is getting darker. This is the time of learning and understanding.

Tales Of Matariki

Ticket Information: Adult: $34.05 each ($30.00 + $4.05 fees), Seniors : $23.25 each ($20.00 + $3.25 fees), Primary/Secondary Students : $16.58 each ($15.00 + $1.58 fees)

Friday 3 November 2023 7:00pm - Bookings are required. Book Online


TREK

Trek

A self-guided tour of Stonehenge Aotearoa. The visitor is provided with a map of the Henge and views a 15 minute audio-visual that explains how the Henge works. Then, with map in hand, you explore the stone circle.

Allow 40 minutes for your Trek which is available during open hours. A trek does not have to be pre-booked.
$15 adults, $10 seniors, $5 for primary or secondary students.


GUIDED TOUR

Guided tour

Private and Group story-telling guided tour of Stonehenge Aotearoa. The program begins with a presentation on ancient stone circles and how our ancestors used the sun, moon and stars for religion, navigation and time keeping – when to sail, when to plant, etc. This is followed by an audio-visual that explains how the Henge works. We then explore the Henge accompanied by stories of the solstices, equinoxes and the zodiac.

Guided tours, which are available any time or day, must be booked in advance. Allow 90 minutes for your guided tour. Price per person is reduced as the numbers rise. Minimum for 2 people is $130 or $75 each. 3-6 people are $48 each and so on. Bookings are required. Email: nzstarlore@gmail.com


SUNSET TOUR

Sunset Tour

A ‘Guided Tour’ of Stonehenge Aotearoa that includes, weather permitting, viewing the sun set at the Henge.

Sunset Tours are available on any day but must be booked in advance. Allow 90 minutes for your tour which should begin an hour before sunset. Prices as the same as Guided Tour. Email: nzstarlore@gmail.com

opening hours

Upcoming Events

Check out the upcoming events, tours, exhibitions, courses and much more at Stonehenge Aotearoa.

Dates For 2023

StartSunset
TALES OF MATARIKIFriday November 3rd7:00pm8:00pm
SUMMER EQUINOXFriday December 22nd8:00pm8:50pm

The Night Sky


Click here for the latest Night Sky on Arrow FM

Venue Hire

Stonehenge Aotearoa is available for private functions – birthdays, and special occasions by arrangement.


WEDDINGS

We also offer our venue for weddings too! Here's a testimonial from a recent event:

"A Shoutout to Kay and Richard of Stonehenge Aotearoa. We've just celebrated our daughter's wedding. We started hunting for a venue in June, 2021 for an Easter wedding in April, 2022. We visited quite a few venues. We settled on Stonehenge, Aotearoa for several reasons, our daughter's partner doing his Masters in Astronomy being the absolute clincher.

It was the perfect venue. It was truly a lucky find. Not only was it unique and beautiful, the owners, Kay and Richard, went out of their way to be helpful and accommodating. Comparing prices, I would say their rates were very reasonable.

And we couldn't have managed without the help of our Events Manager, MJ (0274580035). She organized a superb grazing table for us and took on board all the little pre-wedding tasks we entrusted her with. In a nutshell, I think MJ is efficient, flexible and her prices are reasonable. Both Stonehenge and MJ have earned a ton of gratitude from us all. Others who helped: Our regular handyman (Thank you, Jason) and Festival Hire (www.festivalhire.co.nz Highly recommended!)"

Khoty Mathur (mother of the Bride)


HIRE PRICING

Guide only to basic charges (charges may vary with individual requirements):

Send us a message if you would like more information or wish to make a booking:
nzstarlore@gmail.com

News

Latest news and updates from Stonehenge Aotearoa:

Latest Photos By Jack T Lee

Thanks to Jack for these wonderful photos from the recent Stars and Stones event:

Henge and Milky Way at distance
Heelstone with setting sun
Black and white henge
Sunset and shadows

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