In 2005, Lake Tekapo handed in an application to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to make its starry night sky a listed world heritage site. This is the first time UNESCO has accepted an entry which is not related to cities, architects, cultural traditions and arts. But the organization has recently amended its evaluation criteria on naming world heritage sites, saying the applicant does not have to be a specific city, or have any other concrete address.

Moreover, inspired by Lake Tekapo's practice, UNESCO has initiated a campaign calling upon major cities around the globe to reduce light pollution.

Once approved, the night sky of Lake Tekapo will be the world's first ever "star conservation area".

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