With most of the world in quarantine, the Covid-19 outbreak has seen the rise of numerous online tours, virtual workouts and other activities happening digitally during the circuit breaker (and beyond). Now, New Zealand is upping its game for an out-of-this-world livestream that’s taking place on Jul 21.

New Zealand is home to many sublime sights, majestic landscapes, world-famous vineyards… and one of the best places in the world for stargazing. Don’t take our word for it — National Geographic has christened the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve as one of the prime spots in the world to stargaze. Located in the incredible Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, the area was formally recognised as a Dark Sky Reserve in 2012. So, no, it’s not the same as stargazing in Singapore (we’re among the countries with the worst light pollution in the world, so it’s not exactly fab for stargazing, even on a night with clear skies).

While you’d usually have to take a 12-hour flight to see it for yourself, living in these pandemic times means that you can now enjoy the sparkling views of the constellations from the comfort of your own home via livestream. We know it's different from actually being there, but, hey, when life gives you lemons, right?

The folks at Tourism New Zealand will be holding a live virtual stargazing session on Jul 21 (1.30am Singapore time/ 5.30am NZ time) from Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. This is to commemorate the start of the Māori New Year, or Matariki. Host and erstwhile All Black Israel Dagg will helm the sesh, revealing more about significance of this moment as well as myths and legends that surround the special day. So sit back, stay up (it is at 1.30am, after all), and be blown away by the views.

Matariki Stargazing Live 2020 is on Jul 21, 1.30am (Singapore time), at https://www.facebook.com/purenewzealand/.

Photos: Tourism New Zealand/Daniel Rood, Lee Cook, Jack Austin