{"id":7961,"date":"2025-06-19T09:19:46","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T09:19:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bioclockconsortium.org\/?p=7961"},"modified":"2025-06-19T09:27:24","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T09:27:24","slug":"importance-of-darkness-matariki","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bioclockconsortium.org\/en\/news\/importance-of-darkness-matariki\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Darkness \u2013 Matariki and the Power of the Night"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><em>Illustration by Hyunh Kim, Australasian Dark Sky Association<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This weekend, Aotearoa New Zealand celebrates the start of the new year: <strong>Matariki<\/strong>, a festival rooted in the M\u0101ori lunar calendar. <em>Aotearoa<\/em> is the M\u0101ori name for New Zealand, meaning \u201cland of the long white cloud.\u201d Matariki marks the reappearance of the Pleiades star cluster in the morning sky and is a time for reflection, remembrance, and setting new intentions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Around this celebration, new research is calling for a renewed appreciation of something we often take for granted: <strong>the darkness of night<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Research by Dr. <a href=\"https:\/\/bioclockconsortium.org\/en\/who-are-we\/dr-ellen-cieraad\/\">Ellen Cieraad<\/a> (Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, affiliated with Leiden University and the BioClock Consortium) shows that New Zealanders not only value safety and lighting but also feel a deep connection to the natural night. In a national survey of 1,000 residents, nearly 80% said they believe it is important to protect the dark night sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDarkness is not merely the absence of light \u2013 it\u2019s a valuable resource that we are losing,\u201d says Cieraad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"732\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"7956\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GlenorchyNightSky_PhillipCochrane.jpg?resize=732%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7956\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GlenorchyNightSky_PhillipCochrane-scaled.jpg?resize=732%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 732w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GlenorchyNightSky_PhillipCochrane-scaled.jpg?resize=214%2C300&amp;ssl=1 214w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GlenorchyNightSky_PhillipCochrane-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1075&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GlenorchyNightSky_PhillipCochrane-scaled.jpg?resize=1097%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1097w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GlenorchyNightSky_PhillipCochrane-scaled.jpg?resize=1463%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1463w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GlenorchyNightSky_PhillipCochrane-scaled.jpg?w=1829&amp;ssl=1 1829w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"628\" data-id=\"7952\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CollingwoodNightSky_PhillipCochrane.jpg?resize=1024%2C628&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7952\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CollingwoodNightSky_PhillipCochrane.jpg?resize=1024%2C628&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CollingwoodNightSky_PhillipCochrane.jpg?resize=300%2C184&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CollingwoodNightSky_PhillipCochrane.jpg?resize=768%2C471&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CollingwoodNightSky_PhillipCochrane.jpg?w=1513&amp;ssl=1 1513w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\"><em>Sky photos by Phillip Cochrane<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Darkness for people, nature, and planet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>More than 97% of New Zealand\u2019s population lives under a night sky affected by artificial light. Yet the research shows that people still value darkness\u2014for several important reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>their <strong>own health and sleep rhythms<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the <strong>natural cycles of plants and animals<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and the <strong>cultural significance of night<\/strong>, such as around Matariki.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Artificial light at night disrupts the behavior of nocturnal animals like bats, owls, insects, and amphibians. It can affect their orientation, foraging, and reproduction\u2014impacting entire ecosystems. In addition, light also influences plants, for example by altering blooming or leaf fall. In short, darkness supports not only our biological clock, but also that of the natural world around us. However, when this ancient rhythm is disrupted on a large scale, both health and biodiversity come under pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A smarter approach to light<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The findings show strong public support for more thoughtful lighting policies: less focus on the idea that \u201cmore light is always better,\u201d and more attention to the benefits of natural darkness. Many respondents favored lighting systems that adjust to context and use\u2014such as lamps that switch on only when movement is detected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Matariki is a moment to reflect on our place in the universe and our relationship with the natural world\u2014including nature at night. There is much to gain, says Ellen, by making more room for darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>At BioClock, we emphasize the importance of such solutions\u2014especially in the face of growing <strong>light pollution<\/strong>, <strong>climate change<\/strong>, and <strong>biodiversity loss<\/strong>. Using outdoor lighting more consciously is a simple but powerful way to protect ecosystems and promote health.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#ed703247\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Join Ellen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Take part in a new project that is part of the global research initiative <strong>&#8220;Under One Sky: Exploring People&#8217;s Connection to the Natural World at Night.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By taking just a few minutes to complete a short questionnaire, you\u2019ll contribute to a better understanding of how people value and relate to the night sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#x1f4dd; <strong>Share your experience via this link:<\/strong><br><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/derby.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_73ZNEotr7fWvncq\">https:\/\/derby.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_73ZNEotr7fWvncq<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#x1f4c4; Two scientific articles resulting from this research are currently under peer review, but already available as <strong>preprints<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1. Cieraad E, Dalley J. Bright needs, dark desires: Understanding public preferences for anthropogenic light and natural darkness at night in Aotearoa-New Zealand. Under review. Preprint available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5281\/zenodo.15428871\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5281\/zenodo.15428871<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. Cieraad E, Dalley J. New Zealanders\u2019 connection to the night sky. Under review. Preprint available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5281\/zenodo.15678640\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5281\/zenodo.15678640<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-stretch has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:#ed703273;font-size:19px;flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/AdobeStock_300346568.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7948\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/AdobeStock_300346568-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/AdobeStock_300346568-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/AdobeStock_300346568-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/AdobeStock_300346568-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/AdobeStock_300346568-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"235\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/image.png?resize=600%2C235&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7950\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/image.png?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bioclockconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/image.png?resize=300%2C118&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Tip: Matariki is also celebrated in the Netherlands!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">This weekend, the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/leiden.wereldmuseum.nl\/nl\/zien-en-doen\/activiteiten\/matariki-2025\">Wereldmuseum Leiden<\/a><\/strong> is hosting a <strong>Matariki Festival<\/strong> featuring various activities focused on the stars, darkness, and M\u0101ori culture.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This weekend, Aotearoa New Zealand celebrates the start of the new year: Matariki, a festival rooted in the M\u0101ori lunar calendar. Aotearoa is the M\u0101ori name for New Zealand, meaning \u201cland of the long white cloud.\u201d Matariki marks the reappearance of the Pleiades star cluster in the morning sky and is a time for reflection, remembrance, and [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7955,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7961","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Importance of Darkness \u2013 Matariki and the Power of the Night<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Matariki highlights the importance of darkness for health, nature, and culture. 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