Carter... Inspiring our Community

Our vision here at Carter Observatory is that:

"Carter Observatory will use the science, heritage and culture of the Southern skies to excite, engage and inspire"

Carter Observatory has an ongoing committment to inspiring our local community. Not only do we wish to inspire every visitor to take the time to look up, and to appreciate the treasure (taonga) that is above us; but we also hope that visitors gain a new perspective on their own place in space. 

We reckon that when you appreciate the vastness of outer space, you may also gain a new appreciation for just how small our own planet is, and how precious we are to eachother.

The team here at Carter express this in a number of ways. Here are a few recent examples of Carter gives Back:

Carter Gives Back

Since opening in March 2010, we have given free admissions to some very special groups including:

• Runanga School, West Coast school after the Pike River Mine disaster in a visit arranged by the Ministry of Education. Carter staff gave their own time to provide a special show and tour for this school in December 2010.

• A group of kids from Redcliffs School, Christchurch, visited Carter in May 2011, in a visit arranged by Brooklyn School Year 8 pupils after the Canterbury earthquake.

• In December 2011, Carter extending complimentary entry to a group from Challenge 2000. This community-based organisation volunteers in schools with a variety of initiatives that take a holistic approach to student development.
• Carter provided the venue for the NZ Hospice annual 2-day conference in September 2012.  This was coordinated with the wonderful folks from Mary Potter and Te Omanga hopices and hosted approx. 50 delegates from all over New Zealand.

Astronomical Societies 

Many of our staff are active members of local astronomy societies. These groups are really important to Carter Observatory, particularly as visitors leave with a keen interest to learn more about the skies above them.

Our staff give of their own time to these organisations, often involving many hours a week. Some of these organisations also use our facilities here at Carter for their own meetings, and in exchange help out with events and telescope viewings as we need.

If you're interested in learning more about these organisations check out the options here.

Fundraising for Schools and Community Groups  

Throughout the year we've been approached for support for fund raising events. We're keen to help where we can contribute to inspiring young minds (and some older ones too)!

We've donated thousands of dollars worth of free family passes and tickets to visit Carter Observatory since reopening. These have been used by over 70 groups, schools and organisations including the following:

• Feilding Girl Guides
• The Boot Wellington Medical Students Club
• Auckland Sexual Abuse HELP
• Te Awe Maori Business Network
• St Brigid's School
• Parent Help Wellington
• St Marks School
• Heretaunga Kindergarten
• Foundation for Youth Development
• Raroa Normal Intermediate School

... and including many school fundraising prizes and promotions around the Wellington region.

Victoria University of Wellington

It's important to us that we contribute back to our tourism community as well. We have representation on the Tourism Faculty Advisory Board and find this relationship to be mutually beneficial as we seek to contribute to the ongoing education of our important tourism sector.

We have given lectures to Year One, Two and Three students on various topics relating to tourism, and as a recently reopened visitor attraction, we offer a great case study as we develop our tourism potential and offering to Wellington.

We have hosted 5 VUW tourism students on various practicoms, where they spend time working here at Carter and putting various aspects of the "theory" into practice. 

If you are a community group seeking to bring some inspiration into the lives of the people and community you serve, and you think we can help you to do that - please contact the Marketing & Communications Manager by calling 04 910 3140 or email info@carterobservatory.org for more information.

In the meantime, we encourage YOU to take some time to look up!

Nga mihi

Team Carter