Motorists will have to drive in complete darkness on a stretch of highway in the South Island this summer, in a bid to protect the endangered Westland petrel
Motorists will have to drive in complete darkness on a stretch of highway in the South Island this summer, in a bid to protect the endangered Westland petrel
8 November 2020
Waka Kotahi Transport Agency will this summer trial turning off highway lighting at night on a short section of State Highway 6 through Punakaiki.
Petrel become disoriented from bright lights causing them to crash land.
NZTA's Colin Hey says removing the lighting will be a first in New Zealand.
He says the risk is low as only 70 vehicles go through the town between the hours of 8pm and 6am.
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