Source: Radio New Zealand
The elipse at its max, taken from Wai-iti Dark Sky Park in Tasman. Supplied / Brent
Budding astronomers and photographers have ditched sleep overnight to lay eyes on a total lunar eclipse over New Zealand – from what one expert says is the “best seat in the world”.
The only lunar eclipse of 2026, also known as a blood moon, began just before 10pm on Tuesday.
Stardome astronomer Josh Aoraki earlier told RNZ lunar eclipses were not rare per se – the rarity was whether or not it was visible from your location.
“For this one in particular, we really have the best seat in the world, really. It’s really only visible for its entirety over the Pacific. And it’s the only one that we’re going to see this year. I don’t think we have another until 2028, about two years.”
Missed out? Never fear, there are other astronomical phenomenon to look forward to throughout the year.
Here’s what the view looked like from across New Zealand:
3 March – 11:32pm: The start of the eclipse is visible to Aucklanders as one side of the moon begins to darken. RNZ/Calvin Samuel
A photo taken at 9.37pm in Omarama over the Benmore Ranges in the South Island. Supplied / Fiona Chamberlain
4 March – 12:04am: red is visible to the naked eye as the moon is engulfed. RNZ/Calvin Samuel
4 March – 12:30am: The eclipse in near totality as the moon becomes a deep copper red. RNZ/Calvin Samuel
The moon at different stages of eclipse. Supplied / Nick McLean
As seen from Nelson. Supplied / Sonja Walker
On the way to the total eclipse, as seen from Karaka in South Auckland. Supplied / Scott Baird
Supplied / Brent
The moon above a building in Auckland. Supplied
The elipse at its max, taken from Wai-iti Dark Sky Park in Tasman. Supplied / Brent
Supplied / Alex P
Supplied / Alex P
A shot taken at the University of Canterbury Students’ Space Association telescope night. Supplied / Victoria Ding
Supplied / Alex P
Supplied / Alex P
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
