Giant light therapy sun sculpture lands on Mount Maunganui Beach
04 August 2023
• New research reveals 90% of New Zealanders feel the weather has impacted their mood over the last three months
• Mercury unveils Second Sun sculpture to inject positive energy into the community.
• The giant 18-metre-wide sun sculpture emits a light designed to mimic the sun and in turn produce similar positive, mood-lifting effects.
• 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
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 over 8,000 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 sunmimicking bright light, particularly in the morning, can have a positive impact on a person’s mood.**
With Mercury research revealing that three in four New Zealanders (79%) believe that they have experienced the winter blues this year, and that almost one in three of us (30%) 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.
Bay of Plenty-based Mercury General Manager Customer Operations Fiona Smith says, “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.
“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.”
Tiare Tolks, Health Psychologist 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% said 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 4 August through to Sunday 6 August and Dunedin’s Octagon – a city that’s cold winter days will welcome some August sunshine from Friday 11 August to Sunday 13 August.
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.
ENDS
Notes to editors
* NIWA: Climate Summary January 2023
https://niwa.co.nz/sites/niwa.co.nz/files/Climate_Summary_January_2023_NIWA.pdf
**Harvard Health: October 2022 https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/light-therapy-not-just-for-seasonaldepression-202210282840
For media enquiries please contact:
Beccy Churchill, Artemis Communications: beccy@artemiscomms.co.nz | +64 20 4196 2752
Hannah Pearce, Artemis Communications: hannah@artemiscomms.co.nz | +64 27 858 9003
About Mercury
We generate electricity from 100% renewable sources: hydro, geothermal and wind. We are also a retailer of electricity, gas, broadband and mobile services.
Visit us at: www.mercury.co.nz
About the research
The research was conducted by Pure Profile on behalf of Mercury surveying 2,004 New Zealanders nationwide
Additional statistics:
• 90% of NZers claim the weather has impacted their mood over the past three months: With 30% saying that it has impacted their mood most days. Almost a quarter (23%) say it’s impacted their mood at least once a week.
• 79% of NZers believe they have experienced winter blues this year, with more than a third (37%) saying they have experienced winter blues a moderate amount or higher.
• 84% of NZers feel their mood is generally lower in winter compared to other seasons.
• 73% of NZers feel the weather this year robbed them of a classic Kiwi summer.
• NZers dread the weather of July the most with more than a quarter (26%) saying it’s the month they dread the most. This is followed by June (19%) and August (15%). The least dreaded month of the year is November, which was only dreaded by 1% of us.
• Three quarters of New Zealanders say they have missed the sun more this winter than in previous years, with one in five (23%) saying they have missed it significantly more.
• 95% of NZers believe the sun has a positive effect on their energy levels, with almost half (49%) saying it has a significant effect.
• 73% of NZers say they would love the ability to turn on the sun with the flick of a switch.