An innovative plan to dim the lights could deliver a major tourism boost for the Selwyn high country

The District Council is installing a new lighting control system in Castle Hill Village, as part of a push to gain dark sky sanctuary status.

It's spending 50-thousand dollars to upgrade existing streetlights with AI, and maximise nighttime views.

Community Services Executive Director, Denise Kidd says dark sky accreditation could generate up to 13-and-a-half million dollars in visitor spending each year.