Social media has been flooded with photos of a stunning aurora display overnight.
The lights have been spotted over much of the South Island and even as far north as Auckland.
The display is thanks to a significant G4 level geomagnetic storm
Stardome astronomy educator Josh Aoraki told Newshub last month solar flares occur when solar filaments come from areas of the sun that are "slightly less hot", allowing the magnetic field to push out the solar wind.
"That wind interacts with the Earth's magnetic field, and that's what causes the aurora here on Earth," Aoraki said.
The 11-year cycle of high and low activity in the sun is in full swing, with the peak of high activity approaching in 2025.
Here's how the Southern Lights appeared in different parts of New Zealand overnight.
Wellington
Auckland
Lake Wakatipu
Cromwell
Alexandra
Hamilton
Cromwell
Ashburton
