A Māori astronomer is celebrating clearer skies as the COVID-19 restrictions have led to a drop in air pollution.
Professor Rangi Mataamua from the University of Waikato says understanding of the cycles of sun, moon and stars helped the Māori of old plan for the seasons.
He says the lockdown has given Māori a rare opportunity to see the sky the way their ancestors would have.
"The clarity of skies we've had in the last four or so weeks, it's just how quickly the sky has cleaned itself. Even in the daytime, just the quality of cloud, the brightness of the sun, the sunrise and sunset, and in the nighttime the stars have been spectacular," Professor Matamua says.
He says a similar opportunity may not come again.
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