Pick the day
Pick a date and place.
What this solves
In summer, NZ gets up to 15 hours of daylight. In winter, less than 10. Subantarctic latitudes and the southern alps also see a steep daylight drop from north to south. Most outdoor accidents happen at the back end of the day — in fog, in failing light, after a long downhill. This tool gives you sunrise, sunset, and golden hour boundaries so you can plan a start time that gets you off the ridge before the light goes.
How to read the result
- Sunrise / sunset are top-of-atmosphere times. The actual horizon will be a few minutes later at lower altitude, earlier at altitude.
- Civil twilight is the time after sunset when it is still light enough to see clearly without a torch. Plan to be off exposed ridges by civil twilight.
- Golden hour is the hour after sunrise and before sunset — the best time for photography on a track.
Limitations
- Does not model alpine terrain; in valleys, sunrise can be 30 min later than the calculated time.
- Standard time only; DST does not apply in NZ.
FAQ
Q: Why does NZ have such long summer days?
A: NZ is at temperate latitudes in the southern hemisphere; summer solstice (Dec 22) is the longest day. Christchurch gets about 15 h 30 min, Auckland about 14 h 45 min.
A: NZ is at temperate latitudes in the southern hemisphere; summer solstice (Dec 22) is the longest day. Christchurch gets about 15 h 30 min, Auckland about 14 h 45 min.
Q: What is civil twilight?
A: The period after sunset / before sunrise when the sun is between 0° and 6° below the horizon. Most outdoor tasks are still manageable.
A: The period after sunset / before sunrise when the sun is between 0° and 6° below the horizon. Most outdoor tasks are still manageable.
Q: Should I bring one for an alpine sunrise?
A: Yes — start 30–45 min before sunrise for a summit shot. Snow makes the early light spectacular.
A: Yes — start 30–45 min before sunrise for a summit shot. Snow makes the early light spectacular.
Sources
- Sunrise / sunset algorithm (Meeus, simplified)
- LINZ NZGD2000 datum for location coordinates