Tuesday's Super Blood Moon: How and when to see the total lunar eclipse in NZ

Keen to catch the Blood Moon and total lunar eclipse this week but not sure what all the fuss is about? We've got everything you need to know and how it might affect you in the days following.

When is the Blood Moon Total Lunar Eclipse in NZ?

On Tuesday, March 3, the Earth will pass between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow across the Moon’s surface and turning it a deep red for just over an hour and a half.

At around 9.45pm, the Moon will begin to move into the Earth’s shadow - so get yourself a prime spot to cosy up and watch the natural magic unfold.

The total eclipse will begin between 11pm and 12.30am NZT - the peak time to witness the red moon.

You won’t need any special equipment to catch the red/orange hues of the rare moon. To catch it with the naked eye, though, we’re relying on clear skies around the country.

What makes it special?

The last total lunar eclipse happened in March 2025, coinciding with a Super Blood Moon. We’ve been treated to some spectacular Blood Moons in recent years, and this one is no exception.

New Zealand will be one of the only countries able to see the eclipse for its entire duration. There won't be another total lunar eclipse until 2028.

We had another in 2022, but before that, it had been nearly 40 years since New Zealanders saw a Blood Super Moon, which happens when a total lunar eclipse aligns with a Super Moon (when the Moon is closest to Earth).

As Earth's shadow dims the lunar surface, constellations may be easier to spot than they usually are during a full Moon.

According to NASA, on March 8, a “conjunction” of Venus and Saturn will appear close to each other in the sky (though they’ll still be very distant from each other in space).

What does it mean for me?

If you’re in tune with your spiritual side, you might know that Blood Moons bring on some big transformations.

Spiritually, Blood Moons are all about transformation. These eclipses often come in threes and signal endings or changes. March and September 2025 had the last two – have you noticed a pattern occurring around these times

According to Forever Conscious, this Eclipse falls in Virgo, so we may be drawn to topics around our health, wellbeing, and our daily routines.

"We may feel called to make some changes to our routines, let go of perfectionism, and create more space for ease."

Virgo is ruled by Mercury, the planet connected to our thoughts and communication. Mercury also happens to be in retrograde under this Eclipse, adding to its potency.

Can I charge my crystals under the Blood Moon?

Normally, a full moon is the perfect time to charge your crystals, but during a total lunar eclipse, the vibes are all over the place.

Charging your crystals on Tuesday means they’ll hold that chaotic, unsteady energy, which might leave you feeling disconnected. It might be smarter to hold off until the next full moon - unless, your intentions match those of the lunar eclipse.

Now you've got all the info you need to know, enjoy the show!