Ngā Kōrero Rererangi
Aviation Conversations
Enjoy an evening in the Aviation Hall with a panel discussion exploring the preservation of the night sky and the value of darkness.
Ngā Kōrero Rererangi Aviation Conversations is an evening series celebrating aviation in Aotearoa and the Pacific, from the innovations of the past to the technologies shaping its future.
Set within the MOTAT Aviation Hall, this is a rare opportunity to hear directly from the people leading and influencing the aviation industry today, in an engaging and intimate after-hours setting.
The next talk in this series, Where the stars speak, explores the protection the night sky and the Dark Sky Movement. Join us for a lively panel discussion featuring Nicky McArthur MNZM and Josh Aoraki, followed by a Q and A session.
Where the stars speak and the night remembers...
The night sky has long served as a guiding force for sailors, pilots and the birds that share our skies. Join two of Aotearoa’s leading advocates on the Dark Sky Movement for a thought-provoking discussion on the importance of preserving the darkness above us.
Bringing together science, conservation and lived experience, this special event shines a light on one of the most urgent and often overlooked environmental challenges of our time.
Nicky McArthur MNZM
Patron & Co-Founder, Kaikōura International Dark Sky SanctuaryFor pilots, navigators, and aviation enthusiasts, the night sky is more than a backdrop — it’s a lifeline. Nicky McArthur knows this better than most.
As patron and co-founder of the Kaikōura International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Nicky has been at the forefront of protecting one of our most undervalued natural resources: darkness itself. What began as a mission to protect the Hutton’s Shearwater - an endangered native seabird that depends on dark skies to safely land during fledgling, has now grown into a landmark achievement in environmental conservation and scientific measurement.
Kaikōura sanctuary, approved in 2024, is New Zealand’s third International Dark Sky Sanctuary and by far the largest, spanning more than 2,000 square kilometres.
Now a key voice in New Zealand’s national conversation on light pollution regulation, Nicky brings a unique perspective that connects conservation, aviation safety, human health, and the cultural significance of Te Kāhui o Matariki (our night sky) to audiences across Aotearoa.
Josh Aoraki (Kāi Tahu)
Astronomer & Science Communicator, Te Whatu StardomeWhat does it actually take to see the stars? For Josh Aoraki, that question has driven over a decade of work in astronomy, deep-sky observation, and science communication.
Based at Auckland’s Te Whatu Stardome, Josh has spent years navigating the growing challenge of light pollution, not just as an abstract environmental issue, but as something he encounters first-hand every time he points a telescope at the sky. As an astrophotographer, the encroachment of artificial light is personal.
Now one of Aotearoa’s most engaging voices on the night sky, Josh focuses on connecting people with the cosmos and making the case for why protecting our skies matters - for astronomy, for wildlife and for the communities who live beneath them.
The evening will be hosted by celebrated MC Lauren Tīpene, presenter and ex-air steward who brings her own industry insight to the discussion.
Arrive early to enjoy live music, a rolling quiz featuring images from our own Walsh Memorial Library, and explore the Aviation Hall's remarkable collection of aircraft.
You’ll have the chance to connect with our knowledgeable hosts to ask questions and discover the stories behind aviation achievements in Aotearoa.
Stop by the bar for a bespoke Aviator gin sour, or browse the MOTAT shop.
Doors open at 6:30pm, with the conversation beginning at 7:00pm.
A cash bar will be available.
Bookings are essential.
Please note that filming and/or photography may take place for marketing purposes.
