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.
Covid-19 entry requirements: Wear a mask; Keep a 1m distance; Have fun
Open: for self-guided tours. Private Guided Tours by arrangement.
Or you can book directly through the booking system.
Opening Hours
Daytime: 10am to 4pm
Evening: by appointment
January: every day to the 30th
February - May: Wednesday to Sunday
June - August: Weekends
September to December: Wednesday to Sunday
We are closed December 21st, 24th, 25th, 26th, then open every day from December 27th.
Phone 06 377 1600.
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)
As featured on UNESCO's Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative website
RASNZ newsletter with the official report on the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve
Video courtesy of Jack TK Lee
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
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
VISIT THE HENGE
Please remember to keep a safe distance between yourselves and others and wear a mask when near others or in the Visitors' Centre or AV room.
Prebooking and prepayment are encouraged.
September to December 23, Wed to Sunday.
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.
The programme begins with a presentation on the current night sky which includes an audio-visual. This is followed by, weather permitting, a laser tour of the night sky. From 1 September, 2022, Star treks are available any evening by appointment.
Bookings are essential, to book, please contact Stonehenge Aotearoa directly: Email: nzstarlore@gmail.com 06 3771600
The Deep Space Tour begins with an astronomical presentation and an audio-visual. This is followed by, weather permitting, telescope viewing of celestial objects. From 20 September, 2022, Deep Space Tours are available any evening by appointment.
Bookings are essential, to book, please contact Stonehenge Aotearoa directly: Email: nzstarlore@gmail.com 06 3771600
The Under the Stars team will also run telescope observing sessions near Stonehenge Aotearoa, whenever available. For further information, contact Chris, email: kiaora@underthestars.co.nz
Wai Tours' Pamela Feiertag offers a shuttle service for transport to and from Stonehenge Aotearoa. Call 0284102614
Check out the upcoming events, tours, exhibitions, courses and much more at Stonehenge Aotearoa.
Start time: 6:30pm
Come celebrate the Autumn Equinox with us! Have you ever wondered about what other people do traditionally around this date? Join us to hear about these traditions, out of which, Easter was the most important. Weather permitting, let's watch the Sun set laser light star gazing Sunset at 7:29pm.
Cost is $30 adult $20 seniors, primary and secondary students $15.
Friday night, 17th to Sunday morning, 19th February: Explore the wonders of our Universe.
Night sky tours, Photography, Movies, Astro-Telescopes, Barbeques, Lectures. Details available from The Phoenix Astronomical Society. Registrations essential.
Email: nzstarlore@gmail.com 06 3771600
| AUTUMN EQUINOX | Tuesday March 21st | 6:30pm | 7:29pm |
| WINTER SOLSTICE | Thursday June 22nd | 4:00pm | 4:56pm |
| MATARIKI | Friday July 14th | 4:00pm | 5:07pm (rise 7:40am)* |
| SPRING EQUINOX | Saturday September 23rd | 5:15pm | 6:15pm |
| TALES OF MATARIKI | Friday November 3rd | 7:00pm | 8:00pm |
| SUMMER EQUINOX | Friday December 22nd | 8:00pm | 8:50pm |
Visitors to Stonehenge can also explore our ‘Exhibition of the Planets'. Here is the story and the latest images of the Sun, Moon, Earth and the other planets (including Pluto).
This Solar System display was designed and built by Richard Hall.
VISIT US
Mars, the exhibition, is a project of the New Zealand Astrobiology Network and was possible with a generous grant from the US Embassy New Zealand, who is the principal sponsor, the Phoenix Astronomical Society (NZ) and support from Milky-Way.Kiwi. Richard Hall and Kay Leather donated the centerpiece. Entry to the exhibition is FREE if you purchased a ticket for Stonehenge Aotearoa.
We hold key events each year: the equinoxes and solstices, marking each of the four seasons and Matariki – tales and knowledge (May) and Matariki, finding the waka and the house” in the evening sky (Nov).
VIEW ALL
Guided tours of Stonehenge by Richard Hall. Booking tours is essential, which can be done below:
BOOK ONLINEStonehenge Aotearoa is available for private functions – birthdays, and special occasions by arrangement.
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)
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
Latest news and updates from Stonehenge Aotearoa:
Thanks to Jack for these wonderful photos from the recent Stars and Stones event:
Thanks to John Forsyth for these wonderful photos of the blood supermoon earlier in May 2021:
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