A solar storm has created stunning aurorae across the South Island/Te Waipounamu early on Saturday morning, and keen photographers were up before dawn to see the phenomenon.
The Southern Lights occurred as a result of several strong solar flares observed this week, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Clear skies and calm conditions over much of the country also aligned perfectly with the timing of the aurorae, which cloaked the horizon before dawn.
Callum Tiffin told Newshub he was in Kōwhitirangi on the West Coast at 6am on Saturday to capture the marvel, which is more easily seen through a camera.
And Jeanette Tobin from Manuherikia/Alexandra told Newshub she captured shots of the aurora over Mount Dunstan early this morning.
Where's the best place to see the aurorae?
Clare O'Connor, meteorologist at MetService/Te Ratonga Tirorangi, said the further south you go, the more likely you are to see aurorae.
"The closer you are to the poles the easier they are to spot. We do see the stronger ones, but to see them from Northland, that's very uncommon," she told the NZ Herald.
Kiwis may possibly get another chance to see the aurora again on Saturday night, O'Connor said, with very little cloud cover expected nationwide, with some exceptions.
"Unfortunately for the very deep south, like Invercargill, it might be a bit cloudier.
"Dunedin will hopefully escape the cloud, the other exception is Marlborough Sounds/Blenheim with it being a bit cloudier around there."
Pōneke/Wellington and Taranaki are likely to be cloudy, but the sky could clear in the evening.
