Good outdoor lighting does three things well: it makes your home safer after dark, extends how long you can use outdoor spaces, and contributes to how the property reads from the street. This guide covers each zone, from entrance to garden, with practical guidance on placement, IP ratings, and material selection for NZ conditions.
Outdoor lighting is one of the most commonly underplanned parts of a renovation or new build. It tends to get finalised late, after conduit decisions have been made, which limits what's possible. When it's planned early and considered alongside the architecture rather than added to it, the result is significantly better: lighting that defines the building rather than appearing to have been attached as an afterthought.
NZ conditions add some specific considerations that don't apply everywhere. Coastal environments accelerate corrosion on finishes that would hold up fine inland. Wind-driven rain means fittings rated for splash can be exposed to conditions more like full rain. UV exposure in a NZ summer is among the highest in the world, which affects plastic diffusers and powder coatings over time. These factors are worth accounting for at the selection stage rather than after the fitting has started to deteriorate.
IP Ratings: What You Need Where
Every outdoor fitting carries an IP (Ingress Protection) rating that indicates how well it resists dust and moisture. In NZ outdoor contexts, the two digits that matter most are the second one, which measures moisture protection on a scale from 0 to 8. For a full breakdown, read our guide to IP ratings. As a quick reference:
In coastal locations or areas with significant wind-driven rain, step up one IP rating from what the position technically requires. A fitting rated for splash exposure can be exceeded quickly when rain arrives at an angle. IP65 is a safe default for most NZ exterior wall positions.
Zone 01
Entrance and Front Door
The entrance is the first thing visitors see after dark and the point where your exterior lighting makes its strongest impression. It needs to do two things: provide enough light for safe navigation, and look considered rather than functional. A single bulkhead or sensor light mounted at height achieves the first and rarely the second.
Wall lights flanking the front door, or a single well-proportioned fitting mounted at eye level to one side, both read significantly better than a high-mounted floodlight or a small budget fitting screwed to the brick. The fitting should feel like it was chosen for the door, not selected from a hardware store and installed at the last moment.
Height matters here more than most outdoor positions. A wall light mounted between 1.6m and 1.8m from the ground sits at a comfortable sightline and distributes light across the path and the door at a useful angle. Higher than this and the light spills down from above, creating shadows rather than illuminating faces.
A bold, architectural wall light with strong geometric form. IP54 rated, suited to covered and semi-exposed entrance positions. Works well flanking a door or as a single statement fitting beside it. The proportions hold up against contemporary architecture without being oversized. $289.
The double version of the Aludra, casting light in both directions from a single wall plate. IP54 rated. A strong choice for wider covered entrance or façade positions where you want to light both upward and downward from one fitting. $379.
A more classic lantern form, well suited to heritage homes, villas, and traditional architecture where a strictly contemporary fitting would feel out of place. Available in black and galvanised finishes, both of which hold up well in NZ coastal conditions. From $380.
A compact flush wall light with a clean, unfussy profile. IP44 rated, suited to covered entrance positions away from direct rain. Works well mounted at eye height beside a door or under a soffit. From $573.
Zone 02
Façade and Exterior Walls
Façade lighting is about how the building reads at night, not just how well it's lit. A well-placed exterior wall light emphasises the architecture rather than simply illuminating it, creating depth and shadow that make the building more interesting after dark than it might be in flat daylight.
For contemporary homes, the tendency is toward uplighting and downlighting that defines horizontal and vertical planes rather than lanterns that sit in front of the architecture. For heritage homes, the opposite is often true: a well-chosen traditional form can reinforce the character of the building in a way that a minimalist fitting would undercut.
Spacing matters on a façade. Fittings that are too close together create a busy, over-lit effect. Too far apart and the light is uneven, with bright pools and dark gaps between them. As a starting guide, space exterior wall lights 2 to 3 metres apart on a long run, and adjust based on the spread of the specific fitting.
A circular wall light with a rippled glass diffuser that creates a warm, textured glow on the wall surface behind it. IP54 rated and a strong choice for covered façade positions where you want something with more character than a standard downlighter. $299.
A wall light in corten steel, which develops a warm rust patina over time that deepens in character as it ages. A strong choice for NZ homes with natural timber, concrete or rammed earth exteriors where a standard powder-coated finish would look too polished. The aging process is part of the design intent. $320.
A considered architectural wall light with a distinctive ledge form that casts light downward in a clean, controlled wash. Works well on rendered or board-and-batten exteriors where a more traditional fitting would feel incongruous. From $634.
A NZ-made architectural exterior light with a precise, minimal form and IP65 rating. A reliable specification choice for new builds and architectural projects where finish consistency and performance across a range of exposure conditions both matter. From $310.
A minimal, slender wall light in die-cast aluminium with a polycarbonate diffuser. IP65 rated and available in dark grey, white, and corten. The slim profile works well on contemporary façades and narrow wall positions where a larger fitting would feel disproportionate. Available in two sizes: small (3 x 18cm) for a subtle accent, large (6 x 50cm) for a stronger architectural statement. From $328.
A compact, circular wall light with a transparent glass diffuser and die-cast aluminium body. IP65 rated, available in dark grey or white, and in single or double emission versions. The double emission option casts light both upward and downward, making it well suited to positions where you want to define the wall plane as well as light the path. From $501.
A precision architectural spotlight in 316 stainless steel or copper, with 180° tilt and 350° rotation for exact beam placement. IP65 rated and fully dimmable. The adjustable head makes it the right tool for grazing textured cladding, lighting columns, or picking out architectural features on a façade where a fixed wall light wouldn't give you the directional control you need. From $565.
A solid copper architectural uplight designed for exterior columns, gate posts, and feature walls. IP65 rated with a 45° beam, available in one-way or two-way configurations. The copper body develops a warm patina over time, which suits homes with natural timber, rammed earth, or stone exteriors where material ageing is part of the design intent. From $575.
Zone 03
Deck and Outdoor Living
Deck and outdoor living areas are where outdoor lighting has the most direct impact on how your home is actually used. A well-lit deck extends your usable living space into the evening for a meaningful part of the NZ year. Poor outdoor lighting, or none at all, means those spaces effectively close at dusk.
The approach that works best is the same layering principle that applies indoors: ambient light for general usability, and lower accent light to create atmosphere. Ceiling or soffit-mounted fittings above the deck provide the ambient layer. Wall lights at eye level or step lights add the lower layer and make the space feel like a room rather than an illuminated concrete slab.
For covered outdoor areas, IP44 is generally sufficient. For uncovered decks or any position where rain can reach the fitting directly, IP65 is recommended.
A flush ceiling fitting from the Aludra family, with the same architectural presence as the wall versions. A strong choice for soffit mounting above a covered deck or entrance where you want the Aludra aesthetic across multiple positions. $270.
An outdoor-rated pendant suitable for installation under covered outdoor areas such as pergolas and deep verandas. The pendant format adds warmth and atmosphere to covered outdoor dining spaces in a way that a ceiling-mounted fitting can't match. Suitable for covered positions only. $309.
A rechargeable portable light on a ground spike (spike sold separately), designed to move around an outdoor space as needed. A useful addition to a deck or garden where fixed wiring doesn't reach every position you want light. No electrician required. From $275.
Zone 04
Pathways and Gardens
Pathway and garden lighting serves a different purpose from façade or deck lighting. The primary function is navigation: marking paths, steps, and level changes so they're safe to use in the dark. Secondary to that is the opportunity to highlight planting, define garden structure, or add a sense of depth and distance to a larger section.
Ground-level lighting reads very differently from eye-level lighting. Low-placed garden lights create pools of light at foot level that mark a path clearly without flooding the garden with brightness. This is more effective for navigation than overhead lighting, which creates a flat, evenly lit effect that removes the visual interest of the garden after dark.
A ground-spike garden light in the Aludra family. The same strong geometric form as the wall versions, brought to ground level to mark pathways, driveways, or garden borders. Works well used in a consistent run to define a path or planted border. $525.
The garden version of the Helix wall light, in the same corten steel that develops a warm patina over time. Pairs naturally with the wall version for a consistent material language across the façade and garden. $510.
A rounded, organic garden spike light that contrasts with the more geometric options in the range. A good choice for softer garden environments with curved planting beds and informal landscaping. The form reads as deliberately placed rather than purely functional. $309.
Zone 05
Statement and Architectural Positions
Some outdoor positions call for a fitting that's part of the architecture rather than just attached to it. A statement pendant under a deep veranda, a sculptural wall light on a feature wall, or a cluster pendant above an outdoor dining table all serve the same function as their indoor equivalents: they define a space rather than just illuminating it.
A large-scale outdoor pendant with a distinctive woven form. The Black Out is a statement piece suited to deep covered areas with architectural scale: wide verandas, commercial outdoor dining, and contemporary architectural builds where the pendant needs to hold its own against a significant volume of space. From $3,917.
A cluster of small glass pendants suspended as a group, creating a composed overhead installation that works beautifully above an outdoor dining table under a deep pergola or veranda. The Italian glass quality is apparent in the warmth and clarity of the light output. From $2,266.
A handblown glass wall light with a refined, sculptural form. The Lille brings the same material quality as the indoor range to an outdoor position, suited to sheltered exterior walls and covered outdoor rooms where something with more warmth and character than a standard exterior fitting is wanted. From $994.
Materials and Finishes for NZ Conditions
Finish selection for outdoor lighting is more consequential in New Zealand than in many markets. The combination of high UV, coastal salt air, and periods of heavy rainfall means finishes that perform well in European or North American conditions may deteriorate more quickly here.
- Powder-coated aluminium performs well in most NZ outdoor conditions. Look for quality powder coat rather than spray paint, which chips and corrodes more quickly.
- Marine-grade stainless steel (316 grade) is the most corrosion-resistant option for coastal positions within 500m of the sea.
- Corten steel develops a protective rust layer that stabilises over time. It suits natural material palettes and performs well structurally, though the patina process produces some surface runoff in the early months.
- Die-cast zinc and aluminium alloy bodies are common in good-quality outdoor fittings and hold up well when powder-coated.
- Avoid chrome-plated and polished brass finishes in exposed outdoor positions. Both will deteriorate visibly within a few NZ summers.
- Plastic diffusers yellow and become brittle under sustained UV exposure. Tempered glass or polycarbonate diffusers last significantly longer.
Not Sure What's Right for Your Project?
Share your site conditions, exposure level and architectural brief with the Social Light team and we can advise on IP ratings, finish selection and specific fittings suited to your build. We work with homeowners, designers and specifiers across New Zealand.
Get in touch Browse outdoor lightingWhat IP rating do I need for outdoor lights in New Zealand?
For covered outdoor positions with no direct rain exposure, IP44 is generally sufficient. For semi-exposed positions or decks with partial cover, IP54 provides better protection. For fully exposed exterior walls, garden lights, and coastal locations, IP65 is recommended. In NZ coastal environments or areas with wind-driven rain, stepping up one IP rating from what the position technically requires is a safe approach.
How high should outdoor wall lights be installed?
For entrance and pathway lighting, 1.6 to 1.8 metres from the ground is the standard range. This places the fitting at a comfortable sightline and distributes light across the path and door at a useful angle. For façade lighting where the goal is to define the architecture rather than illuminate a path, height can vary considerably depending on the specific fitting and the effect you're after.
What outdoor light finishes hold up best in coastal NZ conditions?
Marine-grade stainless steel (316 grade) is the most corrosion-resistant option for positions within 500m of the sea. Powder-coated aluminium performs well in most NZ coastal conditions when the powder coat is of good quality. Avoid chrome-plated and polished brass finishes in exposed coastal positions, as both will deteriorate visibly within a few seasons. Corten steel is also a good option where its patina aesthetic suits the architecture.
Can pendant lights be used outdoors?
Outdoor-rated pendant lights can be installed in covered outdoor positions such as under deep verandas, pergolas, and covered outdoor dining areas. They should not be installed in positions exposed to direct rain unless the fitting is specifically rated for full weather exposure. Always check the IP rating and installation requirements of a specific fitting before installing it outdoors.
When should outdoor lighting be planned in a new build or renovation?
As early as possible, before conduit decisions are finalised. Outdoor lighting positions need to be confirmed with your electrician before external cladding or concrete work is completed. Leaving it too late limits your options significantly, particularly for garden lighting and any positions that require conduit running through walls or under paved surfaces.
