After a start to the year that saw sunshine hours hit record lows in regions across New Zealand,

The sun is set to shine this wintery weekend – no matter the weather - as a giant light therapy sun sculpture lands on Mount Maunganui Beach.

Standing at eight metres tall and measuring 18 metres wide, the Second Sun is illuminated by more than 8000 bulbs.

The sculpture is thought to be one of the largest installations of its kind. 

Light therapy lamps are a commonly used alternative treatment for supporting feelings of low mood and reduced energy in winter.

In regions with limited winter sun, research has shown that daily exposure to 30 minutes of sun-mimicking bright light, particularly in the morning, can have a positive impact on a person’s mood.

The starts of this year recorded record lows for sunshine hours in New Zealand.

With Mercury research revealing that three in four New Zealanders (79 per cnet) believe that they have experienced the winter blues this year, and that almost one in three of us (30 per cent) feel the weather has impacted our mood ‘most days’ over the past three months – Mercury hopes the installation will bring a bit more wonderful back into Kiwi days. 

“With the amount of rainy days we had during summer, especially in the North Island, I think everyone would agree that it feels like we missed out on that sunny get out the BBQ and jandals type Kiwi summer we all remember and love,” says Bay of Plenty-based Mercury customer operations general manager Fiona Smith.

“Like many other New Zealanders I would relish in the ability to turn on the sun at the flick of a switch - and the Second Sun sculpture is just that. We wanted to create a unique wonderful way of bringing people together and spreading a bit of inspiration and happiness in communities like Mount Maunganui and the wider Bay which we are proud to support.” 

The sculpture, thought to be one of the largest of its kind, is the latest in a series of light installations Mercury has supported across the country this winter.

Health psychologist Tiare Tolks says conversations around the benefits of light therapy have gained a lot of traction in recent years.  

“Winter can be a tough time for those wanting to shake off feelings of being low, the shorter days combined with the colder, wetter weather can make it harder for us to find the motivation to do the things we know may support us in our day-to-day wellbeing. 

“Whether it’s a gallery or museum trip, a visit to a new park or a blustery beach walk wrapped up in a puffer jacket; small things can often play a big role in breaking up our days and supporting us in strengthening our mental health.” 

Three quarters of New Zealanders report that they feel they have missed the sun more this winter than in previous years; 73 per cent say they feel like they were robbed of a classic NZ summer - the Second Sun sculpture will be placed in two iconic Kiwi locations this August.  

For those wanting to catch some sunshine and test out its feel good benefits, the Second Sun will be on Mount Maunganui Beach – the quintessential beach town from Friday, August 4, through to Sunday, August 6, and Dunedin’s Octagon – a city that’s cold winter days will welcome some August sunshine from Friday, August 11, to Sunday, August 13. 

New research reveals 90 per cent of New Zealanders feel the weather has impacted their mood over the last three months.

The Second Sun is the latest in a series of light installations and festivals Mercury has supported so far this winter, including The Takapuna Winter Lights Festival and The Taupo Winter Festival.

Made from a unique PVC vinyl which allows it to be lit from within, the Second Sun can be folded down so it has the ability to move around the country to brighten up more corners of Aotearoa New Zealand.