It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Canadians, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in our country have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Paradise Scheelite Mine gets harder without someone by their side. However, as seniors grow older, sometimes they cannot live independently without someone by their side to provide care. Unfortunately, many older Canadians aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Glenorchy, ON is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Thank you for hosting the Dementia Live session. I am so grateful for this opportunity”
“Always Best Care provided me with with very nice and practical care givers following my”
“I have terrific care for my father from Always Best Care The Personal Support Workers”
“My husband had a stroke/brain bleed almost 3 yrs ago & we have been exposed”
“Always Best Care Senior Services helps my loved one out with bathing and meal preparation”
“ABC helps my loved one out with bathing and meal preparation mainly, which is very”
“I am grateful that Always Best Care is here to help me. I am not”
“I am grateful that Always Best Care is here to help me. I am not”
“ABC has really helped ease my concerns and worries when caring for my loved one”
“We had a fabulous experience with Always Best Care Senior Services. We needed unexpected immediate”
“Amazing organization. Very pleased at every aspect. I’m over thousand miles away from my mother”
“I am a personal support worker at ABC, I’ve been working at ABC for about”
“I had to engage Always Best Care for assistance with my parents. From my first”
“In a difficult pandemic and job hiring environment they showed up every day on time”
“Thank you the team at Always Best Care! They were instrumental in helping us to”
“I have been caring for my 85 year old Mom in my home for just”
“I had to engage Always Best Care for assistance with my parents. From my first”
“Thank you to Always Best Care Senior Services for help with my grandmother after her”
“I had a wonderful experience with the team at Always Best Care! I was very”
“Always Best Care provided excellent service for my elderly mother after she had a fall.”
“Thank you for hosting the Dementia Live session. I am so grateful for this opportunity to understand what my loved one is going through and learn strategies to help them cope with dementia. It was nice to be in a room of people that understand, support and can relate to the up’s and down’s of coping with a loved one that has dementia.”
“Always Best Care provided me with with very nice and practical care givers following my recent knee surgery. Will totally use them again when the other knee or something else is done.”
“I have terrific care for my father from Always Best Care The Personal Support Workers ensure my dad remembers to take his medication and that he has lots of food to eat and enogh to drink. The managers are good at letting me know when they have to make a staffing change for the day. I have piece of mind and I know everything is going to be alright when I am away. Thanks to Always Best Care!”
“My husband had a stroke/brain bleed almost 3 yrs ago & we have been exposed to many agencies This particular agency had gone above & beyond to ensure ALL needs were met by finding just the right PSW for my hubby & our home environment. The personal touch provided, made both my husband & I feel that our struggles are real & the staff genuinely care. ALWAYS BEST CARE is just that... the best care. A special thank you to Coree!!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services helps my loved one out with bathing and meal preparation mainly, which is very important to have provided for her on a consistent daily basis. The office staff is always very consistent in getting back to me with emails and providing a helping hand. They have been extremely diligent in making sure we have the best care we can get so I’d certainly recommend them.”
“ABC helps my loved one out with bathing and meal preparation mainly, which is very important to have provided for her on a consistent daily basis. The office staff is always very consistent in getting back to me with emails and providing a helping hand. They have been extremely diligent in making sure we have the best care we can get so I’d certainly recommend them.”
“I am grateful that Always Best Care is here to help me. I am not sure what they could do better. They come and help me with transportation for appointments and errands. I like that they are courteous, pleasant and everything I was used to.”
“I am grateful that Always Best Care is here to help me. I am not sure what they could do better. They come and help me with transportation for appointments and errands. I like that they are courteous, pleasant and everything I was used to.”
“ABC has really helped ease my concerns and worries when caring for my loved one especially when im travelling. From the first connection with Steve to assigning PSWs to communicating with Coree my experience has been and continues to be amazing. Coree is exceptional in her work and always responds to our requests even on short notice. The PSW we have is also exceptional and goes above and beyond her duties. I could not have asked for more devoted help than from this company. Highly recommended. The are upfront, honest, trustworthy, and punctual. Great company.”
“We had a fabulous experience with Always Best Care Senior Services. We needed unexpected immediate care for my Mom and Corrie was able to get everything arranged for us right away. She was very understanding, explained everything and willing to do anything she could to help. The caregivers that helped my Mom were wonderful and made her feel very comfortable. Would highly recommend them.”
“Amazing organization. Very pleased at every aspect. I’m over thousand miles away from my mother and I feel blessed to have this group be on call for my mother when needed. Kindest Regards, Oliver”
“I am a personal support worker at ABC, I’ve been working at ABC for about 10 months now. One thing I can recommend about working at ABC is that they are always available and quick to support (you).”
“I had to engage Always Best Care for assistance with my parents. From my first call with Steve to the PSW they assigned to help out, I have been very impressed with their service. I wont hesitate to reccommend them to anyone.”
“In a difficult pandemic and job hiring environment they showed up every day on time to care for my mother-in-law as she recovered from knee replacement surgery. Everyone was warm, attentive, professional and caring. They earn and deserve your business .”
“Thank you the team at Always Best Care! They were instrumental in helping us to navigate what options we had in supporting my Dad as he recovers from a broken hip. Having them kindly answer questions helped to alleviate what is a stressful and difficult time for families. We were set-up with much needed PSW support on extremely short notice...and over the holidays too! The team has been very professional and caring in the services they have provided including adhering to safety protocols in the current environment. Additionally, they have been flexible in managing scheduling changes and have provided prompt updates as needed. Our family has been very pleased with Always Best Care Senior Services and appreciative of the peace of mind and support their services offer.”
“I have been caring for my 85 year old Mom in my home for just over a year. My Mom lives with Alzheimer’s and requires assistance with most all aspects of her life. ABC was recommended to me by the LIHN and thank goodness they made the recommendation! Compared to the experiences I’ve had with other agencies they have been AMAZING! The customer service I’ve received is exceptional - they are responsive and agile working hard to ensure that I haven’t been without support throughout the pandemic. That, I think is a miracle! The caregivers are great - friendly, kind, and have taken very good care of my Mom. I can’t recommend ABC enough!”
“I had to engage Always Best Care for assistance with my parents. From my first call with Steve to the PSW they assigned to help out, I have been very impressed with their service. I wont hesitate to reccommend them to anyone.”
“Thank you to Always Best Care Senior Services for help with my grandmother after her surgery. My first panicked phone call was answered with care and calm. Their consultation and admission process was simple but thorough and they paired my grandma with a great team of caregivers. We are quite happy with their services and look forward to continuing on! Thank you Coree for bringing the heart into homecare!”
“I had a wonderful experience with the team at Always Best Care! I was very worried about doing this, but the team was so professional and so friendly they made me feel so much better. They took amazing care of my grandparents and made them feel just as comfortable and supported as I did. They truly were the best and I highly recommend.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent service for my elderly mother after she had a fall. The staff was informative, caring, empathetic, and flexible. Angela was a wonderful caregiver, very compassionate and professional. My mother was not keen on a caregiver coming but was put at ease and was very appreciative of her care. I highly recommend this agency for anyone's home care needs.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite activities and hobbies while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy other activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress helps reduce the risks of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Headwaters Eco Lodge or visit Paradise, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
When it comes to non-medical home care, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
Studies on aging have found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Glenorchy, ON, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the CBC, aging in place can be more affordable than living in a retirement home, which can cost thousands of dollars a month, with no extra care included.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With ABC's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Glenorchy, ON understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced ABC Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your Care Plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Glenorchy, ON 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Around 200,000 hectares of land located at the head of Lake Whakatipu has officially been certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.Named the Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary, it is the fifth sanctuary in Aotearoa to get the title, and 23rd in the world.The initiative is run by Dark Sky International which certifies communities, parks, and protected areas around the world that preserve night-sky visibility through responsible lighting policies and public education.The sanctuary stretches from Bennett'...
Around 200,000 hectares of land located at the head of Lake Whakatipu has officially been certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.
Named the Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary, it is the fifth sanctuary in Aotearoa to get the title, and 23rd in the world.
The initiative is run by Dark Sky International which certifies communities, parks, and protected areas around the world that preserve night-sky visibility through responsible lighting policies and public education.
The sanctuary stretches from Bennett's Bluff to the northern boundary of Mt Aspiring National Park and more than 75 percent of the Sanctuary falls into UNESCO Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Wilderness.
The Routeburn, Greenstone-Caples and Rees-Dart tracks also all fall within it.
The sanctuary surrounds the townships of Glenorchy and Kinloch and in the coming year they will be brought into the International Dark Sky Places program as an International Dark Sky Community. It's an approach similar to the Kaikōura International Dark Sky Sanctuary certified in 2024.
It will also be one of the rare places where you can see the total solar eclipse in 2028, with the Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary, being the only sanctuary in its path.
Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Skies Group chairperson Leslie Van Gelder said it is a huge achievement.
''We're really hopeful that particularly for Tāhuna Glenorchy that people will come and spend the night, and so once they realise there's only one small spot on the planet where you can see the Aurora and you can see the core of the Milky Way and we sit in that sweet spot.
Only 10,000 people live in that band in the whole world, and we're among them," Van Gelder said.
One of the Sanctuary's key aims is to engage with Ngāi Tahu to improve people's awareness of the knowledge that is held in the planets and the stars, that have helped guide countless previous generations.
Kāi Tahu ki Tuawhenua representative Jana Davis said it is important more people are made aware.
"There are different ways Māori refer to our stars, ngā whetū (stars), or tīpuna whetū (ancestral stars), or whetū mārama (bright and beautiful stars!), and they hold deep significance for Kāi Tahu whānau.
"These same stars guided our tīpuna (ancestors) from Hawaiki across the vast Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (Pacific Ocean), weaving stories that transcend space and time.
"As Kāi Tahu whānau, we are dedicated to protecting these pristine night skies and our taiao (environment).
"They are a taoka (precious), connecting mātauraka Māori from our tīpuna to our mokopuna (descendants). The Dark Sky Sanctuary ensures these stories and connections will endure for generations to come," he said.
"DOC was excited to support the application of the Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary and our hut rangers played an important role in taking the necessary light readings in difficult to access areas."
The Department of Conversation manages a large part of the new sanctuary, with Mt Aspiring National Park straddling the spectacular mountains and valleys at the southern end of the Southern Alps/ Kā Tiritiri o te Moana - renowned for its exceptional beauty and large core of wilderness.
"The new designation will further protect these values into the future," Davis said.
Selwyn District Council has also started work to get Dark Sky accreditation at Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill.
Community and Economic Development head Clare Quirke said it would be a boost for all the locals.
"They include job creation and support for local businesses to create income. They also boost tourism and extend the tourism season.
"Obviously there's environmental benefits of reducing like pollution, energy conservation and protecting wildlife, particularly nocturnal fauna and flora," Quirke said.
Community Services and Facilities executive director Denise Kidd said it would be great to achieve.
"We're very mindful that there is some real significance culturally in terms of the areas that we're talking about.
"A lot of the cultural strength is around the night sky and the cultural astronomic features associated with it," Kidd said.
Other Dark Sky Sanctuaries in Aotearoa are in Stewart Island, Kaikōura and Great Barrier Island.
DarkSky has certified more than 200 Places since Flagstaff, Arizona, was named the first International Dark Sky City in 2001.
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The Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary was certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by DarkSky International, making it the fifth International Dark Sky Sanctuary to be certified in New Zealand and 23rdworldwide. Located in New Zealand’s astronomical sweet spot on the 45th parallel and within an hour’s drive of Queenstown, it will be one ...
The Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary was certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by DarkSky International, making it the fifth International Dark Sky Sanctuary to be certified in New Zealand and 23rdworldwide. Located in New Zealand’s astronomical sweet spot on the 45th parallel and within an hour’s drive of Queenstown, it will be one of the rare places on the planet to see the Total Solar Eclipse in 2028, and the only designated International Dark Sky Sanctuary in its path.
Located at the head of Lake Whakatipu and encompassing 200,000 hectares stretching from Bennett’s Bluff to the northern boundary of Mt Aspiring National Park and bounded by the Humbolt and Richardson mountains, over 75% of the Sanctuary falls into UNESCO Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Wilderness. The Routeburn, Greenstone-Caples and Rees-Dart tracks all fall within its limits. The Sanctuary surrounds the townships of Glenorchy and Kinloch and in the coming year, they will be brought into the International Dark Sky Places program as an International Dark Sky Community in an approach similar to the Kaikoura International Dark Sky Sanctuary certified in 2024.
Coupled with the extensive conservation work in the same area, the Dark Sky Sanctuary above will reflect the existing conservation sanctuary below for the first time. This will provide a rare haven for those who want to do the Great Walks during the day, encounter a newly released takahē at dusk, and lay out under the Milky Way at night to marvel at the night skies from the shore of one of the deepest lakes in New Zealand, look out from the comfort of Glenorchy’s range of accommodation, or see the stars from atop snowy mountain peaks.
“Congratulations to the Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Group on this achievement! This award highlights the group’s commitment to preserving the pristine night skies and the natural environment within this UNESCO World Heritage site and gateway to the iconic Routeburn Track. With the support of local dark sky advocates, environmental stewards, and the Queenstown Lakes District Council, this initiative will ensure that the Sanctuary remains a haven for stargazers and nature lovers. We are excited to welcome Tāhuna Glenorchy as the newest International Dark Sky Sanctuary and look forward to future collaboration,” remarked Amber Harrison, International Dark Sky Places Program Manager.
One of the Sanctuary’s key aims is to engage with Kāi Tahu (Ngāi Tahu) to improve everyone’s understanding of Mātauraka Kāi Tahu and to come to understand the knowledge that is held in the planets and the stars that have helped guide countless previous generations.
Kāi Tahu ki Tuawhenua Representative Jana Davis said, “There are different ways māori refer to our stars, ngā whetū (stars), or tīpuna whetū (ancestral stars), or whetū mārama (bright and beautiful stars!), and they hold deep significance for Kāi Tahu whānau. These same stars guided our tīpuna (ancestors) from Hawaiki across the vast Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (Pacific Ocean), weaving stories that transcend space and time. As Kāi Tahu whānau, we are dedicated to protecting these pristine night skies and our taiao (environment). They are a taoka (precious), connecting mātauraka Māori from our tīpuna to our mokopuna (descendants). The Dark Sky Sanctuary ensures these stories and connections will endure for generations to come.
It is exciting to see the resurgence of this knowledge and celebration as we enter our fourth year of recognising Matariki as a New Zealand public holiday. Last year, Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou held the Hautapu ceremony for Matariki at Treble Cone, offering to the stars, and we called out the names of our loved ones who have passed on, it was beautiful. Initiatives like Glenorchy’s Dark Sky Sanctuary will continue to deepen our understanding and connection to the awe and wonder that is our universe.”
The Sanctuary will also be a major regenerative tourism driver for the Tāhuna Glenorchy community and wider area.
Mayor Glyn Lewers said, “This is a fantastic achievement for this small community and represents the protection of our remarkable night skies for generations to come. Light pollution globally increases year on year and approximately 80% of the world’s population can no longer see the Milky Way. The creation of the Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary provides an unrivalled opportunity to reflect on the impact of light pollution on human health, astronomical research, our understanding of mātauraka Māori, our energy use and the impact on our environment and nocturnal species.
Queenstown Lakes is a big tourism destination, and we need to encourage a slower, regenerative form of visitation – we’re looking forward to welcoming future astro-tourists to stay longer, tread lightly and enjoy the wonder of our night skies.
Thanks must go to the tremendous efforts of the team involved in making this happen. This milestone marks the creation of the first inland sanctuary of its kind, a significant accomplishment for all those who have contributed.”
“We’ve had an amazing group from the community who’ve worked on this project for the last 5 years,” says Chair Dr. Leslie Van Gelder, “While none of us knew anything about astronomy at the start, our team of 12 spanning three generations, have upskilled in brilliant ways learning about lighting, moths and bats, staying up late measuring darkness, holding community events and the annual Matariki dinner, going to star courses, and partnering in with the QLDC [Queenstown Lakes District Council] Libraries and Tūhuru Otago Museum for talks and educational programs for the whole community. Glenorchy got in behind us and we’ve had huge support all the way through. It has truly taken a village and it’s all just beginning for us.”
The group has also been funded through LoveQT to work with the Southern Lakes Sanctuary to do a study in the Rees Valley looking for the elusive short-tailed bat while also developing a bat monitoring program within the township to match their dark sky measurement program. The Department of Conservation’s support has been integral to the project, with hut rangers helping take dark sky readings in remote parts of the Sanctuary.
David Butt, Pou Matarautaki Operations Manager – Whakatipu-wai-Māori, Te Papa Atawhai Department of Conservation, said, “DOC was excited to support the application of the Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary and our hut rangers played an important role in taking the necessary light readings in difficult to access areas. The Department of Conversation manages a large part of the new sanctuary, with Mt. Aspiring National Park straddling the spectacular mountains and valleys at the southern end of the Southern Alps/ Kā Tiritiri o te Moana – renowned for its exceptional beauty and large core of wilderness. The new designation will further protect these values into the future.”
Chair of Winterstellar and founder of the nearby Kawarau Gibbston Dark Sky Park, Professor Brian Boyle, noted the special nature of the Sanctuary’s location. “Only 10,000 people on the planet live under dark skies where the aurora and centre of our galaxy can readily be seen. This recognition of Tāhuna-Glenrochy as a Dark Sky Sanctuary is thus not only of immeasurable importance to the protection of this resource, but to its promotion as a strategic benefit to residents and visitors alike.”
As part of the Winterstellar program to create Dark Skies across Otago, Tāhuna Glenorchy was also named their first Astronomical Site in 2024.
Naylani Davies, President of Dark Sky International said, “I’m very pleased to learn that Tāhuna Glenorchy has been certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. This prestigious designation recognizes the pristine darkness of local skies and also the efforts undertaken by the Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Skies group fully supported by Queenstown Lakes District Council. This has led to the reduction of artificial light at night as well as its long-term control, thereby protecting the nighttime environment for other species to flourish and the starry night sky for us, as well as future generations, to enjoy. Tāhuna Glenorchy’s accreditation is a significant step in our collective journey to make New Zealand the world’s first Dark Sky Nation.”
The Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Group is a subgroup of the Glenorchy Heritage and Museum Group. More information can be found at their website https://glenorchydarkskies.org.nz or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/glenorchydarkskies/
About DarkSky International:
The mission of DarkSky is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. Learn more at darksky.org
About the International Dark Sky Places Program:
Founded in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program is a non-regulatory and voluntary program encouraging communities, parks, and protected areas worldwide to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, environmentally responsible outdoor lighting, and public education. When used indiscriminately, artificial light can disrupt ecosystems, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view and connection to the universe. The Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary now joins more than 230 Places that have demonstrated robust community support for dark sky advocacy and strive to protect the night from light pollution. Learn more by visiting https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/
Contacts:
Tāhuna Glenorchy:Leslie Van Gelder Chair Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Skies Group +64 (0)27-748-9153[email protected]
DarkSky International:Amber Harrison Dark Sky Places Program Manager+1 (520) 347 6363[email protected]
New Zealand’s Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary has been officially certified by DarkSky International, marking it as the fifth International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the country and the 23rd worldwide.Positioned along the 45th parallel – an astro...
New Zealand’s Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary has been officially certified by DarkSky International, marking it as the fifth International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the country and the 23rd worldwide.
Positioned along the 45th parallel – an astronomically significant latitude – it also offers one of the planet’s rare vantage points for the 2028 Total Solar Eclipse. Notably, it is the only designated International Dark Sky Sanctuary within the eclipse’s path, solidifying its global significance.
Nestled at the head of Lake Whakatipu, the sanctuary spans 200,000 hectares, extending from Bennett’s Bluff to the northern boundary of Mount Aspiring National Park. Over 75% of the protected area falls within the UNESCO Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Wilderness, home to iconic Great Walks such as the Routeburn, Greenstone-Caples, and Rees-Dart tracks.
The certification is the culmination of a five-year grassroots effort by the Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Group, a dedicated team of 12 community members spanning three generations. Their work has ranged from conducting darkness measurements and studying nocturnal species to organizing educational initiatives, star courses, and annual Matariki celebrations.
“We’ve had an amazing group from the community who’ve worked on this project for the last five years,” said Group Chair Dr. Leslie Van Gelder.
The townships of Glenorchy and Kinloch, encircled by the sanctuary, are slated to join the International Dark Sky Places program as an International Dark Sky Community – an approach mirroring the 2024 designation of the Kaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary.
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Tāhuna Glenorchy represents a groundbreaking alignment of celestial conservation with terrestrial preservation. By mirroring the environmental protections on the ground with safeguards against light pollution, the sanctuary offers a rare dual refuge: adventurers can traverse New Zealand’s renowned trails by day, encounter the reintroduced takahē at dusk, and gaze up at an undisturbed Milky Way by night.
"Congratulations to the Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Group on this achievement! This award highlights the group’s commitment to preserving the pristine night skies and the natural environment within this UNESCO World Heritage site and gateway to the iconic Routeburn Track," commented Amber Harrison, International Dark Sky Places Program Manager.
"With the support of local dark sky advocates, environmental stewards, and the Queenstown Lakes District Council, this initiative will ensure that the Sanctuary remains a haven for stargazers and nature lovers. We are excited to welcome Tāhuna Glenorchy as the newest International Dark Sky Sanctuary and look forward to future collaboration," Harrison continued.
Naylani Davies, President of Dark Sky International, reinforced the broader implications of the designation: “I’m very pleased to learn that Tāhuna Glenorchy has been certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary… Tāhuna Glenorchy’s accreditation is a significant step in our collective journey to make New Zealand the world’s first Dark Sky Nation.”
The sanctuary’s mission extends beyond stargazing; it is deeply committed to engaging with Kāi Tahu (Ngāi Tahu) to amplify awareness of Mātauraka Kāi Tahu, the Indigenous astronomical knowledge embedded in the stars. This celestial wisdom, used by generations of navigators crossing Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean), carries profound cultural significance.
"There are different ways māori refer to our stars, ngā whetū (stars), or tīpuna whetū (ancestral stars), or whetū mārama (bright and beautiful stars!), and they hold deep significance for Kāi Tahu whānau," shared Jana Davis Kāi Tahu ki Tuawhenua Representative.
“These same stars guided our tīpuna (ancestors) from Hawaiki across the vast Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (Pacific Ocean), weaving stories that transcend space and time. As Kāi Tahu whānau, we are dedicated to protecting these pristine night skies and our taiao (environment). They are a taoka (precious), connecting mātauraka Māori from our tīpuna to our mokopuna (descendants). The Dark Sky Sanctuary ensures these stories and connections will endure for generations to come.”
The sanctuary’s certification is also poised to serve as a catalyst for regenerative tourism, positioning Glenorchy as a premier destination for astro-tourists seeking sustainable, immersive experiences; the Queenstown Lakes region, a major tourism hub, is embracing a slower, more ecologically mindful model of visitation, with stargazing offering an unparalleled opportunity for engagement.
“This is a fantastic achievement for this small community and represents the protection of our remarkable night skies for generations to come,” Mayor Glyn Lewers said, following the announcement. “The creation of the Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary provides an unrivalled opportunity to reflect on the impact of light pollution on human health, astronomical research, our understanding of mātauraka Māori, our energy use and the impact on our environment and nocturnal species.”
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