If you’ve got a pool—or you’re planning one—lights are one of those things that might not be top of mind straight away. But trust me, they can completely change how your pool looks and works at night. Here’s what matters when you’re thinking about swimming pool lighting, especially right here in New Zealand.

Why it’s worth lighting your pool

Let’s cut to the chase: pool lights aren’t just about making things look flash. They’re practical. First off, they make night swimming safer—you can actually see where you’re going. You won’t be guessing where the steps are or end up bumping into the pool edge. And second? They just make the space more enjoyable. It’s like when you throw on some decent backyard fairy lights—it suddenly feels like you’ve created a vibe. Pool lighting does the same thing, but better.

So, what type of lights should you go for?

Most Kiwi homeowners these days go for LED pool lighting. And it makes sense. LEDs use less power, they last for ages, and they come in a bunch of colours if you want to get fancy. You can have a warm white glow or you can switch to blue or green for something a bit more dramatic. Some systems even let you change colours with an app on your phone—pretty cool, right?

Halogen lights used to be the go-to, but honestly, they chew through power and the bulbs need replacing more often. Unless you’re set on a retro look, stick with LED.

Where should the lights go?

Think of pool lighting like lighting up your living room—too much in one corner and none in another and it’s just weird. Spread them out so you don’t get heaps of shadows. Most people install lights into the walls of the pool itself, pointing across or slightly down. This helps the light travel along the water instead of just blasting straight out.

If you’ve got a spa attached, light that up too. It’s the small details that pull the whole outdoor setup together.

Above water lighting is also a good shout. Garden spotlights aimed toward the pool or decking lights can frame the space. And they’re handy for when you’re walking around the pool at night—no stubbed toes.

How bright should the lights be?

Here’s the thing—brighter isn’t always better. You want the pool to have a nice glow, not look like a car park. Go too hard and you lose the relaxing feel. If the light’s too dull though, it’s kind of pointless. Stick with warm white or soft colours and choose fixtures that are designed for pools—don’t just chuck in any old light and hope for the best.

What about installation?

This is one of those “get a pro” situations. Pool lighting needs to be waterproof, safe, and meet all the compliance stuff. Water and electricity are a bad mix if you’re not sure what you’re doing. In New Zealand, pool lighting needs to meet safety standards like NZS 3000 (that’s the Wiring Rules, if you’re curious).

Talk to a pool specialist or an electrician who’s done lighting before. Places like Paramount Pools, Pool Masta or The Spa Shop often have guides or even offer installation services, and they’ll only recommend systems that work with our local voltage and safety setups.

Run the lights from a low-voltage transformer—that’s the safest option. And get them connected to a switch or remote you can easily access from the house. No one wants to wander out in jandals trying to fiddle with a switch hidden behind a hedge.

How much is this going to set you back?

All up, you’re looking at a few hundred to a couple thousand depending on how many lights you want and whether you’re retrofitting or building new. Single LED lights start at around $100-$200 each from places like Lighting Direct or from pool supply stores like Mayfair Pools.

If you’ve got a larger pool or want all the bells and whistles—colour control, remote timers, smart home connections—then yeah, the price goes up from there. But think of it like buying a heat pump—it costs a bit up front, but it seriously improves how much you actually use the space.

Oh, and maintenance?

Not much, if you go LED. They can run for up to 50,000 hours. Just make sure the lens stays clean and replace the globe if it ever burns out (which could be years). Some newer systems are even sealed so you never change a bulb—they just get replaced altogether if needed.

Final tip…

Don’t forget Council rules. In some areas, exterior lights (even for pools) may have limits on brightness or when they can be on, especially if you’re near neighbouring houses or a reserve. Keep it smart—don’t leave them running all night if no one’s in the pool.

Think of good pool lighting like good kitchen lighting—once you have it, you wonder how you ever lived without it. It’s one of those things that adds style, safety, and just makes your place feel properly finished.

So go on, light it up.