‘Thought it was a plane on fire’: large meteor sightings stir delight in New Zealand

The Guardian UK Wednesday 29 July 2026, 02:28 UTC By Eva Corlett in Wellington 1 min read

Key Points

Footage shows North Island skies lighting up followed by a ‘huge boom’ days after a separate fireball in South IslandTwo large suspected meteors have flashed and boomed across New Zealand’s skies in recent days, delighting those who glimpsed the celestial events and sending some animals into a frenzy. A fireball was seen over parts of the North Island just after 10.20pm on Tuesday night, after a separate one streaked across South Island’s skies on Sunday evening.

Footage shows North Island skies lighting up followed by a ‘huge boom’ days after a separate fireball in South Island

Two large suspected meteors have flashed and boomed across New Zealand’s skies in recent days, delighting those who glimpsed the celestial events and sending some animals into a frenzy.

A fireball was seen over parts of the North Island just after 10.20pm on Tuesday night, after a separate one streaked across South Island’s skies on Sunday evening.

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‘Thought it was a plane on fire’: large meteor sightings stir delight in New Zealand

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