Being able to gaze up at the majesty of the heavens is not a reality for half the world's population – which is why moves are afoot to protect the Wellington region's precious dark skies.

A group of astronomers and enthusiastic locals want to have a big chunk of South Wairarapa certified as a dark sky reserve to prevent future light pollution degrading the magnificent nocturnal vistas overhead.

Chairman of the Space and Science Festival Lee Mauger said light and air pollution were progressively washing out night skies in the more densely populated parts of the world.

MARK GEE The sky above Cape Palliser lighthouse, on the southern tip of the North Island.

So much so that one in every two people on the globe can't see stars at night.

READ MORE:

* Mackenzie's dark sky reserve a treasure, NASA scientist says

* Dark skies tourism project investigated in Southland

* The problem with light pollution

* NZ's lightening night time skies

South Wairarapa has some of the darkest skies in the North Island where people can often see the Milky Way and hundreds of constellations clearly with the naked eye.

lighpollution.info A light pollution map of the Wellington region.

Mauger said there could be all sorts of benefits to having a dark sky reserve and it just means being aware during development and what kinds of lighting is installed.

For example, LED street lighting at the blue end of the spectrum creates more light pollution than bulbs with a warmer hue.

Coincidentally, the South Wairarapa District Council was just about to install LED lights in the street lamps in its three main towns. Now, in consultation with astronomers, they will be looking to choose appropriate types that minimise light pollution.

PIERS FULLER/STUFF Enzo Fuller, 9, of Masterton, looking through a telescope at the moon. The Wellington Astronomical Society held a viewing evening near Martinborough Square on Saturday night.

Mayor Viv Napier said a dark sky reserve would only add to what the region has to offer.

"I've been to Lake Tekapo and seen what they have done there and the tourism industry based on going up Mt John is just phenomenal," she said.

The Aoraki McKenzie International Dark Sky Reserve near Lake Tekapo in the South Island attracts thousands of sky gazing tourists every year.

MARK GEE The Milky Way rises over the Wairarapa. The lights from the towns of Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, Martinborough and Featherston can be seen from left to right.

The idea for a reserve in South Wairarapa came from Martinborough local Ray Lilley, who got the ball rolling with an article in a local paper mooting the idea.

Mauger saw the article and decided to mobilise support to get an application into the International Dark Sky Association to certify the southeastern corner of Wairarapa, including Martinborough, as an international dark sky reserve.

Noted Wellington-based night sky photographer Mark Gee said the area was fantastic for night photography and, once a reserve was in place, it would attract astronomically minded tourists.

ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF Photographer Mark Gee specialises in night sky and timelapse photography.

"It will mean there will be no danger of it being built out or lit out and it will keep the pristine conditions that are already there for future generations.

"The Wairarapa isn't really on the map when people come to New Zealand to view the night sky, because they are naturally drawn to the Tekapo-McKenzie reserve, but if you have something like that which is official then people are going to start looking elsewhere.

"It would be the only one on the North Island, and it's close to Wellington, which is big plus."

A public meeting was being held in Martinborough on Wednesday night to introduce the concept, gauge support for a dark sky reserve, and form a committee to progress the application.